The Elder of the Two

It was on a clear bright morn, they walked along the shore
Time and age responsible, for what it was each saw
The younger gazed upon the point, where sea and sky took hands
The Elder counting all the years, and all his unseen lands

Sitting for a moment now, he watched the boy skip stones
He buttoned up his sweater, he rubbed his tired bones
The younger ran about the beach, pretending he could fly
The Elder knowing this of youth, contributed a sigh

Then a question from the child, took him by surprise
Dropping to his knees in sand, he gazed into his eyes
The younger asked if he might grow, as old and wise as he
The Elder had to think a bit, and glanced atop the sea

An honest answer might have hurt, yet wisdom at such times
Amounts to Grandpa doing tricks, or reading nursery rhymes
The younger waited patiently, as young boys seldom do
The Elder searched for simple truth, amid the life he knew

The first part of the question, was equal in demand
And there he found his answer, resting in the sand
The younger looked upon the shells, with clear accepting eyes
The Elder thought he might explain, the difference in their size

You see my child not all arrive, to grow and stay so long
Large and small are washed ashore, without a right or wrong
The younger seemed to understand, and took his lesson well
The Elder walked with him in hand, and thought of more to tell

Explaining wisdom to a boy, was quite another task
Considering the simple questions, one his age might ask
The younger now content to lend, attention to the gulls
The Elder put his mind to work, while smiling at the shells

Finally the old man knelt, and raised his whiskered chin
Explaining that our eyes and ears, are where one must begin
The younger looked and listened well, a sound respectful start
The Elder then went on to teach, the more demanding part

To see the kindness in our world, and listen for its sound
Embracing those we find in need, just where and when their found
The younger listened to his words, intent that he might see
The Elder now envisioning, the man he’d grow to be

Wisdom comes on any day, in voice, and book, and song
It comes from work and new approach, and learning from our wrong
The younger nodded as he spoke, and took each word to heart
The Elder then content to have, these days before they’d part

Listen very close my son, and watch with all intent
For every day a lessons taught, that’s from a heaven sent
The younger grew so much that morn. and yet without a book
The Elder knew that love alone, was all such lessons took

On they walked in silence now, their sky a welcome blue
Just a cup of tea for me, and waiting years for you
The younger ran ahead once more, as if so much to do
Rightly so, we quickly are, The Elder of the two

March 2009