What Price?

You ask me how,
He reached for his fame.
How a birthright won,
His valiant name.

How care-free days,
Made his soul...not vain.
How his venture in youth,
Left not a stain.

How youthful ambition,
Took him far and wide.
And gave him in life,
His manly stride.

In every day honor,
With learned ones...he walks.
His diploma was written,
From the...School of Hard Knocks.

He gained fortitude,
With his head held high.
In his doing...he looked,
Men straight in the eye.

He lived with approval,
As men gave their nods.
And because...rightly telling,
His hand was in Gods.

E.P. 1908 - 1989