By D. R. DiFrancesco
~
You embody courage,
Something I never truly had,
Setting foot into uncharted waters,
Leaving the familiar behind,
Jumping headlong into another world.
~
You embody honor,
Something that I couldn’t teach you,
Living by a code,
One that must have been etched in your soul,
Immortalizing those that came before you,
~
You embody faith,
Something I should have instilled in you,
But I was not strong enough,
Yet you epitomize it in spite of me,
By entrusting your life to those around you.
~
You embody integrity,
Something I never knew how to give,
Still it was born into you,
A birthright gifted to those most deserving,
To be shared with those most in need.
~
You embody love,
Something I was never good at showing,
Your compassion and sensitivity,
Given freely to those in want,
From a heart that’s kind.
~
You embody all of these things,
Something I could never do,
Courage, honor, faith, integrity and love,
They made you the man you are,
And readies you for the man you will become.
Dom DiFrancesco 
It was wonderful to read a positive depiction of male strength and you accomplish that really well here. You must be very proud of your son and the man that he is. It shows in your poem.
Thank you very much. Yes I am extremely proud of him. He has done what I had always wanted to do as a young man, but didn’t. :)
Great poem to honor the honorable.
Thank you very much.
I came back to reread… so many reasons to but mostly, as the spouse of an educated, loving, honourable and decorated combat vet… it did my heart good to see these positive words.
Thank you so much for the kind words. This is a topic that like you is very near and dear to my heart with a son serving in Afghanistan. :)
A truly beautiful piece, my friend. :)
Thank you so much for the kind words and taking the time to read and comment on my poem. My son has turned into the man I wished I was which makes me extremely proud. :)