Heaven's Shore

I wish you could have meet him
         Before his great decline,
          When youth had given him favor.
His steps were light, leaving not a trace
         Face blessed with the light of a smile
          Cat paws tripping by, in the garden of his life.
Yes, I wish you could have known him
         Faithful father, brother and companion
          Follower of Christ blessed with honest emotions.
Friend to all he had met, no blade in hand
         Expecting only the best for his fellow man
          Lifting the fallen with kindness unearned.
I wish you could have seen him
         Listened to his voice of love
          Or felt the patience of his gaze.
I wish you could have felt the firmness of his clasp
         Strong callused hands of labor
          Gentle touch of happiness giving hope.
I wish you could have been there
         When death released him and
          His steps reached Heaven's Shore.