One was new to the task,
Slow in catching the clue.
Too much was new,
In One’s young life to view.
Words from the past
He repeatedly said,
Form memory of time,
And echo in One’s head.
One didn’t understand at the time.
He meant, “Do your best.”
One always did.
One passed every test.
One didn’t understand,
The man was talking about life.
It wasn’t about gains,
Or the struggle and the strife.
That carried One farther,
Than how to tie a knot.
That’s what he passed on,
That was the goal he sought.
The man thought far past today,
From sunlight into night.
Not vision, but understanding,
Knowledge, not future sight.

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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