Robert McRook

       

 

There are many things that inspire me

The ocean, a rainbow, a book

But few things have moved me to press on

Than a man I’ll call Robert McRook.

 

He was a heavy-set man with pale, sullen eyes

Who lived at the park down the street

And I’d see him each night moving to and fro

As he’d search for something to eat.

 

I wondered each day as I passed him by

Who this man had been long ago

What was his story, what had brought him here

His journey I longed to know.

 

It was a Friday night, on the 10th of May

That our eyes interlocked in a trance

And I knew that our meeting had been ordained

For a purpose beyond random chance.

 

With a wave of his hand he beckoned me near

I trembled with fear at the thought

Of this man I had watched for years from afar

Who he was, was he safe, I knew naught.

 

He patted his hand on the edge of the curb

On his face a strange smile appeared

And as I sat down I realized

The questions had birthed all my fears.

 

For as I leaned in to hear of his plight

In his shoes I never would walk

But I could feel his pain and loss of hope

The longer I allowed him to talk.

 

I learned many things from this man that night

He inspired me to the core

To pursue more than riches for myself

But to share kindness is worth so much more.

 

Robert McRook has since moved on

But his story is etched in my soul

To give back to others, and brighten their day

Is now my ultimate goal.