To a Friend

To be a man of sound decision
To live with the bite of other's derision
To heal the scars of jealous division,
These are the things that lead to vision.

To walk a path of one's own direction
To achieve the goals of one's own election
To rejoice in gain and to suffer rejection,
These are the things that lead to perfection.

To make a mark or to fan the flame
To lose the point but to win the game
To run with the strong, but support the lame
These are the things that lead to fame.

In all these things dear friend you've scored
And in your lifetime you'll reap reward,
Now ply the knowledge so well you've learned
And live the dream so well you've earned.

K.E.S. ~ September 1970