How Should A Man Measure His Life Can Be Asked At Any Stage Poem by Reginald Reid

HOW SHOULD A MAN MEASURE HIS LIFE

How should a man measure his life?
Did he live it alone or share with a wife
Perhaps he had several more than the one
Did he father a daughter or maybe a son

Was he part of a couple who shared the same sex
Did he blend with society we know as complex
Was he a teacher who shared all his good knowledge
with those he encountered in life's changing college

Was he a provider, did he share with good grace
How loving was he to the whole human race
Was he a good example to all he encountered
Did problems persist or were they simply surmounted

Did he teach his children the special things that he knew
Was there a task for his wife that he wouldn't do
Did she excite him every day of their lives
Was the balance of ups exceeding the dives

Was he a good steward of all that he held
Did he shun the avarice and greediness spell
Did he show understanding when it was required
Did he go far beyond where others expired

Was he always true to his treasured beliefs
open minded, empathetic to others in grief
Was genuine charity his pleasure to give
Did he care for the needy and how they could live

Did he hold a faith that helped him along
Was he an example in strength when hope was all gone
Did he meet his challenges with good grace in silence
and keep his own frailty his secret as penance

How should a man measure his life
Were there successes in overcoming strife
Was he granted such opportunity
Was he granted such responsibility

'The Common Man ' 'The man in the street'
is really the man you're most likely to meet
Unpretentious, getting along,
an average fellow singing an average song

Yes there are those who fall 'neath the line
who do evil and deserve none of your time
But rather seek out the ones we revere
Those who ordinarily spend their time here.