The Jesuit Father Poem by RIC BASTASA

not one child
has your name

but your name is the name
of all your students

those who learned from your teachings
that life is beautiful
that it has meaning
that it must be lived to the full

not one child
is owned by you
not one child
gives you paternal posterity

but there are hundreds of those
who call you father
those whose lives you touched
those that found a home in your class
those that learned to be one with the world
those that give glory to God

they all have become your children, father.
you have served, and loved them all.
you are their father
and they are your sons, your family.

now they are thanking you and your name
will live and linger.