THE OLD MAN AND HIS SHOES

The Old-Man (Patriarch) and his shoes
In this poem I  wrote in 2006  of a an Old-Man that inspired-these-words, now the time comes round to rewrite them

Two years ago some promises were made to the Old-Man, some used family-lineage & ecclesiastical-heritage to persuade him away. With great reluctance the ACW gave way as not to add stress to the Old-Man.  The promises made were mythical and I was pressed-into-duty which I was Not ready as Patriarch. In the Traditional-Anglican-Faith is at the end of life that a Patriarch departs and another enters, now after weeks of discussion I am pleased to relinquish this task and return it to its rightful-heir
I will enter the vacant Office of Archbishop-Provost January, 1, 2017 in honor of his 91st birthday
WATCH
The Old-Man and his shoes 

He adds no new soles to his shoes
Ninety-and-one-years he traveled 
He has walked-thousands of miles
How could these shoes- bear the
Burden of wear-and-tear
Tis a mystery not easy-to-unfold

His shoes carry years-of-experience,
Not harnessed by degree-or-latitude
It is a walk of life’s dispensing-wisdom
to all who listen, heed, absorb and learn

If he walks in the garden, he teaches to plant
If he walks by the hall of education he teaches to learn
If he walks by the Church he teaches to pray
If he walks by the river, he teaches to swim

As the years dwindle down,
So is the Old-Man 
Yet even in the pilling-of-time,
The Old-Man continues his walk

To the youth he reminds them
Of the calm days of his youth
To the old he swaps-stories-of-the-past,
To dispense again
Now as his twilight comes, it is time

For the Old-Man and his shoes-to-rest
He looks back at the years-given
His life was a reservoir-of-good
Amongst “even” evil

 Now he slowly drifts in the distance
He will not fade-away in-the-dark
Or be ignored by those who loved, lived and learned by his hand 
His once strong-voice, softened but not weakened 
And the wisdom he sheds to others lingers
 
As he returns to his rightful place.  I shall continue to be the strong-aide-of-administrative-support. He traveled 4000-miles (FEB-22-1997) to consecrate me as Bishop on his daughter’s birthday, putting ministry before family-life.  I am Glad that I have-met him in this life’s journey and walked with The Old-Man and his shoes 

To God and to him I am a servant who like the dust is blowing over the land and passing on

Ever faithful
Hartley, Archbishop Provost
(Patriarch-in-Waiting)