Your Name

I wish more fathers would be as my dad was, then this poem may mean more. It's sad to see the deterioration in fatherhood, even motherhood, but I have hope in the ones that I see who are doing their best. The blog picture is Edgar A. Guest. The poem, Your Name, has been attributed to him. I read it as a young adult and never forgot it. 

~ Your Name ~

You got it from your father,

t'was the best he had to give,

And right gladly he bestowed it

It's yours, the while you live.

You may lose the watch he gave you

and another you may claim,

But remember, when you're tempted,

to be careful of his name.

It was fair the day you got it,

and a worthy name to bear,

When he took it from his father

there was no dishonor there.

Through the years he proudly wore it,

to his father he was true,

And that name was clean and spotless when he passed it on to you.

Oh there's much that he has given

that he values not at all,

He has watched you break your playthings in the days when you were small.

You have lost the knife he gave you

and you've scattered many a game,

But you'll never hurt your father

if you're careful with his name.

It is yours to wear forever,

yours to wear the while you live,

Yours, perhaps some distant morn,

another boy to give.

And you'll smile as did your father,

with a smile that all can share,

If a clean name and a good name

you are giving him to wear.

~ Edgar A. Guest ~