Inexpungible
      by Steve Anthony

"I'm inexpungible," he told me.
I knew then that he'd survive,
for he knew the very special gift
of simply being alive.

He had wisdom well beyond his years -
not so rare for him,
for he'd often been in waters deep -
that's how he learned to swim.

He knew that others are important,
not what they have or haven't got,
and every life is precious,
and never can be bought.

He knew of things that lay before him,
and of things best left in past -
that each man must make his future -
sometimes thrust upon him fast.

Yet for all he knew I worried,
when he made his choice that day;
not that he would not succeed -
but of his pain along the way.

For I knew the path he'd chosen
would be rocky and uphill,
yet once the pinnacle was reached -
he'd remain; steadfast and wiser still.

Then with a smile to reassure me,
once again I heard him say,
"I'm inexpungible, my friend,
I'll be back, day after day."