A Sonnet For His Sons

When every other bond in life has broken,
Like the oldest ropes, so past their good
That now their worth’s a worthless rotted token;
When bareness stands where branching life once stood;
When petty friendships fail your dearest heart
And sell you cheap, use you to rant and laugh,
And freeze you out to play their warmer part;
When friends spread gossip of your sinful gaffe;
Remember what we have —and always had:
Easy conversing, more than ease of talk
Alone, but trading thoughts, and sorting bad
From good: an aiding hand held as we walk.
This loyalty is all: I’ll hold above
All worldly stuff our wounded, human love.

twl