Words For Thomas Poem by DAVID TERRY

While you are young
Before you grow old
Before you grow up
There are words to be told

Words you must know
Words left unsaid
Words to help you grow
Words to guide your head

They’re words I grew up with
Things you should learn
A present from old to young man
With his life ahead to earn

Love generously, love true
Love fully, love now
Give your heart to what’s important
And don’t worry about how

Pay attention, listen up
Defer and give respect
To people who came before you
Whose lives you can inspect

Taste deeply of blue waters
Of life and earthly wind
Live fully in God’s nature
And of this place transcend

Make friends, don’t hold back
Smile, share, hold hands
Don’t live life on attack
Be better, make amends

Forgive once, forgive another
Forgive wherever you can
Forgive hurt and don’t be bothered
Forgive and become a man

Follow a dream to learn where it leads
When God leads, you learn to follow
While He provides your needs
He will never leave you hollow

Pour your love into another
And hold her love true dear
Love her more than you do your mother
Then keep her far and near

Don’t stand tall but do arise
Stand up for what is right
Ignore the arrows and lies
But don’t fear to fight the fight

Learn a good trade
Hone your skills
Work each day unafraid
As you travel life’s green hills

Be a man for your kids
Be a man they can admire
Allow and don’t forbid
Your love that they desire

Most of all, trust God
Trust Him as your North Star
That others may applaud
Him and you, and who you really are