His eyes were piercing like a bird of prey;
Though often soft and tender was his gaze.
Do hawks and men share instincts still today?
How usual are these fierce and frightening ways?
Affection was his strongest , human gift.
Discernment and evaluation graced,
As perceptions he was long prepared to sift
Made their fine,patrician patterns on his face
To gossip or waste time in fruitless talk,
He did no more than would a wildebeeste
He spoke as if each word was wisdom stalked
With carefulness, yet joy, at this life’s feast.
The lines of pain accepted and outgrown
Make our faces to the gods be known
How my heart sings 