A Poem for Fr. Al

You made me, ME...

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,
Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of my fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me
With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,
And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me

Before I was myself you made me, me
No matter where I go I'm not alone,
For you remain within to still my fears
And be the word that tells me who I am.
Thank You, my dear father and my friend
Coz, before I was myself, You made me, me...


Ronald V. Rafer :)
7th batch, Silang Cavite
St. Isidore family