Admonition

I dreamt my father spoke to me.

From beyond the grave he spoke to me about faces.

Never tire to stop and look around you, he said.

What you will see are faces you will quickly become accustomed to.

Faces of champions,

Veterans in the art of exploration,

Wise beyond their meager years,

Restless.

Straining at the leash to unleash their childlike dreams upon us,

Their eloquence all the more admired 

because tells us how to temper idealism with pragmatism.

Faces of followers.

Invaluable for their supporting roles.

Safe in the knowledge

that their work will never be interrupted

by those who wish to prey on the accomplishments of others,

because the limelight will always be fixed squarely on the champions

while the followers toil daily with bravery enough and to spare,

to stand up and be counted if and when needed.

I will never be too far from you, he continues.

You will recognize me as the face of a Lawyer, Doctor,

Enterprenaur, Teacher, Economist,

Engineer, Social worker or other professional

and just like you,

they will be of champions and followers.

Your face and mine are not so unlike after all.

Shining bright with hope and expectation,

Catalyst for the change yet to come.

Looking to stop

The conservation of our bright faces,

And start lighting the path

For our new golden age.

And to think,

I never knew my father.