From Father To Child Poem by Ernesto Barca

What things we learn to do and say
To those whose mouths we must allay,
And those whose minds we seek to know
A lifetime's quest seems now to show
That trivial pursuit of praise and awe
For which we all steal and bend and claw,
To wear the laurels of success and glory,
So to our children, we can tell our story.

Success and glory now their curse
For they cannot do any worse,
Than what their father will expect,
And upon which he'll them respect.

So they steal and bend and claw,
With scant regard for err or flaw,
In blind pursuit of praise and lore,
They covet glory, and see no more.

For glory's bounty it only bestows
Upon those whose flickering light it glows,
That they who have lived another's story
And still ended up short of glory.

Life bestows on those not scared, to dream,
and live, and in the end, say 'I dared'.
So child, live your story through your heart,
And your father from the start
Will watch with love and awe and pride
Upon whichever path you ride.
Because with a bountiful heart and intrepid mind
You will never be led a'blind.
And should you ever need a steer,
You will know I'm always here.

So when you're guided by your dreams
Through those misty, winding streams
To whatever place you reach,
Trust your heart and life will teach
That the greatest glory lies inside
And from that light you must not hide.

So let it shine and ride the light
Allow your wings to take flight
And when you fly into the night
Know that yours was a life lived right.