The Ballad Of Boyhood Lessons

After a long hard day of slaving away

in the woods with an ax and saw,

a young boy sat stunned from all the work he had done

with the man set beside him called Pa.

Upon the chairs they had made on their porch in the shade,

ol’ Pa just sat reminiscing.

He then turned to the boy, his heart brimming with joy

and said “son, let me tell you something:

All this wood that we stack, ‘for the winter comes back,

will eventually be burned up and gone.

And even you and I, our mortal husks will die

and leave nothing but coffins of bone.

See there’s not much that can last when life moves by so fast,

but there’s a few that I want you to know.

Ya see here lad, no story need end sad,

and there's one I feel best shows the same:

Bout a boy from the coast, not far from his post

Which was keeping the lighthouse aflame.

It was his duty and delight, to keep watch every night

for the ships that’d come seeking rest.

And offer his bed, and a small loaf of bread

to the travelers weary from their quest.

But on a peculiar night the waves reached frightening height,

and the boy noticed a small wind tossed vessel.

There were shouts of fear the boy could clearly hear

amid the wind's wild hustle and bustle.

Beyond in the distance striving with all persistence

to make the shore was a crew of five bodies.

Least that's all he could see, till he heard a blood chilling plea,

“Save us, my life and my family’s!”

It was clear to him now, though the boy knew not how,

he would do all he could to save them.

So he fastened a rope round his waist with hope

that the line could reach them unbroken.

The other end he tied tight to a rock of great height

then started to swim through the violence.

“Just hold on,” he cried out, till salt water filled his mouth,

as though the seas demanded his silence.

As he swam and he swam further and further from land,

the boy made his way first to the father.

The others were scattered among the ships tatters

and the rope was getting ever more totter.

“Please,” the father wailed with barely a breath in his sails,

“there’s only enough time to save one!”

And though the boy shook his head the father instead

insisted on what should be done.

“I realize this seems dire but the waves only grow higher

and I want my family’s name to live on.

So though it seems wrong to take only one,

please take back my son and live thus.

For my hope is that he will continue to be

the father to a family like us.”

But the boy would not hear it, he’d not even think near it,

and with vigor he boldly pronounced:

“If there’s only for sure time for one trip to the shore,

then I’m taking you all at once.”

“But we’ll all surely die,” came the fathers reply,

“and we’ve drifted so far apart.”

Though the family was split, he felt he could do it,

then the boy spoke up from his heart.

“If you’ll trust in my plan,” he spoke like a man,

“Then link up your arms like a chain.

I may not look like much, but if you’ll trust on my hunch,

United, the shore we’ll obtain.

As one, if we link, I’ll pull our small fleet,

with the rope I’ve fastened ashore.

Now if you’re done with words so tragic and absurd,

then cling to your family I implore!”

And with this command, each person swam

and fastened their arms to the other.

“Sir, grasp tight to my blouse and hold tighter to your spouse

and whatever you do don’t let go!

I promise you all before the biggest wave fall,

I’ll get you ashore, this I know!”

Bonded stronger than stone, with hearts set on home,

joined tight were parents, sisters, and brother.

And oh how those waves crashed with the boys arms nearly gassed,

that storm just wouldn’t relent.

As well the weight of the 5 began to deprive

the young lad of his will to an extent.

But through the pain and the hellacious rain

the boy kept pulling them in.

Seeing them cling together, in spite of cruel weather

filled the boy with a strength quite inhuman.

Was such a small crisis worth dying like this?

The boy’s heart shrunk for a breath,

But such doubts flew by for all in the boy’s eye

was getting this family to rest.

Still beyond reach was the haven-like beach

and the safety of the sandy shore.

And the young boy’s grip was starting to slip

as his palms ripped and tore.

Yet thinking fast he twisted and thrashed

and coiled the rope round his arm.

Still as he pulled, the thunder rolled

and the largest waves readied for harm.

It was clear to his eyes if they saw their demise,

the family would let go of their chain.

“Hold on to each other,” cried the boy to the mother

with tears in his eyes from the pain.

The boy knew his promise would be tested in this,

for the biggest wave readied to fall.

But looking forward instead and never turning his head,

the boy moved onward giving his all.

Maybe it was grit, the strength to stick with it,

or perhaps just consistency,

Whatever the case, they arrived all safe

in spite of nature's ferocity.

And the family of five thanked the boy they were alive

and pulled him in close like a son.

Yes though all hell and fire would for their deaths conspire,

this family had held fast and won.

Regardless the darkness and all that evil can harness,

The answer for us and this family is clear.

Their comfort had come as they held fast and clung

to the people they considered most dear.”

Pa’s story had closed, and with the world in repose,

son and father sat wordless and sober.

There was for a space, a solemn spirit of grace,

as the two thought the story over.

That space where stillness, silence and reverence,

can foster the greatest of learning.

Where mind leans on heart, and filling each part

Of the soul is what's called discerning.

And as the moments flew aloft, Pa placed his hand soft

on the top of his young son’s knee.

There may have been something to say, but in an unspoken way

the boy’s tearful eyes said “I see, I see.”