Love Poem: Advice To My Son
Michael Degenhardt Avatar
Written by: Michael Degenhardt

Advice To My Son

If man could stand for right and never ever want for more
or, if he were to take to flight, but never tried to soar,
he would be a man, that I could say is great.
Then, he should be the man that you should emulate.

If man would whisper nicer words, not screaming out the bad,
If man could smile once a day, to make a heart feel glad
then he would be a man, I’d say, who is trying to be true.
To be at least half that man, is what I expect from you.

A man can walk on distant shores and never leave his home.
A man can assume all the faults by making them his own.
That sort of man is great, my son, and you should realize
That dignity and humility will surely be his prize.

So, if, my son, you should one day find need to have a guide,
look for the man who stands alone, but doesn’t seem to hide.
He is the man, my son, which you should try to be
Then you will be a man, my son, the world is sure to see.