Ode to My Mentor

A distraught youth enters, only 7, maybe 8

Though he's known few summers, he knows disappointment's ache

A gymnast's extra training, it was more than he could take

Looks for something new, follows in his brother's wake

He enrolls in the school where they teach the open hand 

Studies and progresses, can recite it on demand

Earns the highest honor, but still fails to understand

More than knowledge makes a leader, yet more makes a man

All throughout the journey, he's been watched by Sensei Joe

A great man and a teacher, sees potential when it shows

He teaches the boy to set his goals, he helps him learn to grow

Gives him the discipline he lacked all those years ago

The years have passed in earnest, now I'm at adulthood's door

I still take time to listen, even till my ears are sore

More than anything Joe taught me that there's always more

And if I'll do the work, the future has it all in store