My Lighthouse, Beacon and Star

I want you to think about a person who you know personally that inspires you; someone that you admire for how good they are.  If the people you are thinking of are anything like the ones I am, chances are that they don't see themselves in as high of a regard as you do.
This poem is about one of those people.  I wrote this for someone who I completely adore for their goodness, kindness and purity.  They are all I portray them as and so much more.  And you know what?  They would never even guess that people (I'm not the only one by far) see them like that.
To all the quiet, unassuming heroes in our lives, heroic just by being themselves.

A picture is worth

a thousand words,

but I’m stumbling over these few;

and even if

I could say them right,

ten thousand would never do.

A million pictures,

a billion words,

and these would come only so close;

of the praise you deserve

my paltry words

are but a shadow and a ghost.

And even if, by

some miracle,

my telling did tell it just right,

you wouldn’t believe

these words at all -

you see it in a more humble light.

What irony

that those so great,

the best that live on the earth,

should never know

nor truly see

their unsurpassable worth.

You, who sees the good

in all those around,

are blind to your own vast light;

if I could work

one miracle,

I’d give to you perfected sight.

But I cannot tell,

and you won’t believe,

the good that I see within you;

I stutter and trip

over these words,

but it’s miles from that which is due.

My one comfort is

that angels above

are recording your deeds here below

in a tongue perfect;

I hope I’m there

when you your story are shown.

The light that will shine,

the tears in your eyes,

as you realize just who you are -

the good that you did,

the souls you touched;

you’re my lighthouse, beacon and star.

David Jamison