There is no fear in love

A wise man once told me that there is no fear in love

 

I knew him to be wise for the years that he had seen

Great events and changes in the world shaped him as he is

And smaller happenings done by his own hand and by his will

Lives changed and renewed by his love, kindness and charity

 

I knew him to be wise by the strength of his heart

His capacity to love those would wrong him

To forgive any action or fault by his very nature

And embrace openly any man who turned to him in need

 

I knew him to be wise by his enduring faith

How in every word and action he would be devout

In how he spoke of his beliefs and welcomed you unto them

By his willingness to share the gift that was his god with us all

 

But most of all I knew his wisdom for he was my grandfather

A man with whom I have laughed, played and cried

Always the gentle hand upon my shoulder in case I should fall

Teaching and guiding for when I would have to ride alone

 

He has taught and so I have learned

I will never fear to love you grandfather

Your hand has never left my shoulder and never will

And even though I may now be ready to ride alone

I love you far too much to let you let me go

 

By Richard Herring

(Age 19)