Christ was your lord and captain all your life, <br />He fails the world but you he did not fail, <br />He led you through all forms of grief and strife <br />Intact, a man full-armed, he let prevail <br />Nor outward malice nor the worse-fanged snake <br />That coils in one's own brain against your calm, <br />That great rich jewel well guarded for his sake <br />With coronal age and death like quieting balm. <br />I Father having followed other guides <br />And oftener to my hurt no leader at all, <br />Through years nailed up like dripping panther hides <br />For trophies on a savage temple wall <br />Hardly anticipate that reverend stage <br />Of life, the snow-wreathed honor of extreme age.<br /><br />Robinson Jeffers<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-his-father/
