To Fred – on his sixtieth birthday (9/88)
I would that I were young as you,
Yet with my years could see.
In youth I’d hear applause to be
for nothing much ado.
Oh! Though this body wax and wane,
All time in God is one:
So He creates us young again
In forms we hold in loan.
Then fade this carcass long away -
I fear not such a day -
In you, my son, my life remain
Till you be born again.
Against that time, friend, persevere!
Of dying, never fear.
When you perceive death drawing near
Hold not this earth too dear.
Jonathan (son #3) said,
September 21, 2006 at 7:55 pm
This poem was written for our family friend Fred Wills who had served at a time as mentor to me, especially for my poetry, critiquing and encouraging.
Apparently, I was on a “god” kick in the late 1980s. I never attended religious services with any regularity, nor have ever subscribed to a particular faith, but I notice references to god in many of my poems from that period.