The King and the Prince

Wearied by life and distracted by misfortune
You lament over lost opportunities.
Fortunate man, who is he that walks by your side?
Is he not your Prince? Are you not his King?
More precious than gold is he who came from you;
Greater than acquisitions and wealth
Is the fruit of your loins, the flesh of your flesh.
Forgetful man, turn to the fortune that cannot be priced,
Celebrate the blessing that cannot be overlooked,
Embrace the wonder that you have brought into this world,
And hold on to that joy till your last breath.
Let not misery distract, let not fear overwhelm
The fire of a father’s love that should be never put out.
Spare him not your counsel; raise him in the light of his Lord,
Leave not his shadow even for a moment; love him till the very end.
Walk upright before him, be his master, be his light.
Fall not from grace; wreck not his heart.
Remember the blessing comes at a price,
And you must be a man before you can be a father.
Trifle not with the gift of God; wake up before it is too late.
Let the serpent not invade the garden of the King and his Prince,
And bring to ruin the joy of Heaven.

-Samuel Godfrey George