To his Father

Christ was your lord and captain all your life,

He fails the world but you he did not fail,

He led you through all forms of grief and strife

Intact, a man full-armed, he let prevail

Nor outward malice nor the worse-fanged snake

That coils in one’s own brain against your calm,

That great rich jewel well guarded for his sake

With coronal age and death like quieting balm.

I Father having followed other guides

And oftener to my hurt no leader at all,

Through years nailed up like dripping panther hides

For trophies on a savage temple wall

Hardly anticipate that reverend stage

Of life, the snow-wreathed honor of extreme age.