Farewell

To words I commit my memory of you
and hope that justice to you they do

an incompetent fool I was in past days
you it was that helped me mend my ways

conversation with you was in itself education.
patient words leading to gentle reformation.

on forbearance and bravery by example you led
never choosing the route of the coward instead

to make you happy was worth the while,
joy in a student making his teacher smile.

Now the apprentice must walk alone
the tests of life he can no longer postpone

The teacher will watch proudly from afar
as his young charge dares to reach for stars