I Have a Boy

I Have a Boy
 
I’ve a wonderful Boy, and I say to him, “Son,
     Be fair and be square in the race you must run.
Be brave if you lose and be meek if you win.
     Be better and nobler than I’ve ever been.
Be honest and noble in all that you do,
     And honor the name I have given to you.
 
I have a Boy and I want him to know
     We reap in life just about as we sow,
And we get what we earn, be it little or great,
     Regardless of luck and regardless of fate.
I will teach him and show him the best that I can,
     That it pays to be honest and upright, a man.
 
I will make him a pal and a partner of mine,
     And show him the things in this world that are fine.
I will show him the things that are wicked and bad,
     For I figure this knowledge should come from his Dad.
I will walk with him, talk with him, play with him, too;
     And to all of my promises strive to be true.
 
We will grow up together, I’ll too be a boy,
     And share in his trouble and share in his joy.
We’ll work out our plans when we both will be men.
     And oh, what a wonderful joy this will be,
No pleasure in life could be greater to me.
 
by Hugh M. Pierce