if by thy brow a simple sweat doth bleed
a countenance of noble toil hence laboured
then bounty borne god wouldst baptize the seed
to harvest rich the terra to be savoured
much have i pondered on the whole of thine
existence, footmen of the earth thou art
thou’st tilled the ground to ripeness, intertwining
labour and love for thy children’s start
the waxing of an oak from seed to tit’n
accords the span of seasons thou hast trod
through wars of men. thy battle doth enlight’n
a stalwart vigor ‘neath thy shield and rod
wisdom environs thine autumnal year
a gift i quest to conquer in my youth
but make myself a showy sonneteer
whilst thou with simpler words discourse in truth
yielding must be my grant, that i might learn
to recognize that wisdom is a page
from thy books i ought read, instead of spurn
the heart of thou who art the truest sage
o weary dotards, weak only in frame
thy wizened visage resting on the world
a yore of life abundant thy sole claim
whilst greater words ne’er from a mouth unfurled
growth and a shaping yet have i to mold
to learn from thee thy lessons, men of old
Angela Carole Brown is the author of three published books, The Assassination of Gabriel Champion, The Kidney Journals: Memoirs of a Desperate Lifesaver, and Trading Fours, is a recipient of the Heritage/Soulword Magazine Award in poetry, and has produced several albums of music and a yoga/mindfulness CD. Bindi Girl Chronicles is her writing blog.