" ON FATHERLESS SHORES "

On fatherless shores
I swim,
So often I hear the words
"You'll never amount to anything,
In this God-forsaken world
We're In!"
A man is not a man,
Until his worth is no longer
Measured by him,
Who leaves his son
On fatherless shores,
Where learning to sink
Or swim,
Is the only measure....

Am I not of that deep
Romantic chasm?
That God has provided me
In my dreams?
Are we not all of the same
Good stuff?
Washed up on the same
Sweet shores
At birth,
Where self worth
Is defined by actions
And not by,
Hollow,
And hurtful words....

I pray,
That all the lonely children
In this wondrous world,
Use their hearts
And learn,
That it IS Love,
That driving force
That gifts you,
And grants you,
The most generous
Of pearls,
By leaving you,
On fatherless shores...

Tony Taylor   (Chicago)