If you’ve been following this blog for a number of years (ie. from years ago when I would post things 3 times a week), you’ll know I’m partial to Edgar Guest poems.
Here’s one I’d never seen before; it’s about honoring the family name you’ve received.
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YOUR NAME
You got it from your father. ‘Twas the best he had to give,
And right gladly he bestowed it–it is yours the while you live.
You may lose the watch he gave you and another you may claim.
But remember, when you’re tempted, to be careful of his name.
It was fair the day you got it and a worthy name to wear.
When he took it from his father, there was no dishonor there;
Through the years he proudly wore it, to his father he was true,
And that name was clean and spotless when he passed it on to you.
Oh, there’s much he has given that he values not at all.
He has watched you break your playthings in the days that you were small,
And you’ve lost the knife he gave you and you’ve scattered many a game
But you’ll never hurt your father if you’re careful of his name.
It is yours to wear forever, yours to wear the while you live,
Yours, perhaps, some distant morning to another boy to give,
And you’ll smile as did your father smile above that baby there,
If a clean name and a good name you are giving him to wear.
-Edgar A. Guest
Inspiring, right? Any thoughts, questions or comments? Please mention them in the comments section below. Bye for now.
-Shawn
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