Heaven Makes a Man

[couchgrouch]

Heaven Makes a ManMy buddies n me were toastin' in some bartalkin' tall n braggin' bout our scarswhen big Al said a cheerleader made a man of himand it's a fine line 'tween manly and dumbcos Tim boasted the day he turned twenty-onehe downed a six of Schlitz and a fifth of brand x ginI said, "wild oats have their placebut don't forget heaven's graceI don't claim to be no saint, Lord knows I ain'tbut heaven makes a manand molds him to be all he cangives him courage to take a standthough a guy is wild he's still a childunless heaven makes a man"I told 'em why I b'lieved what I believedordered a round...rolled up my right sleeveand said, "this is from a fire in my neighbor's houseat first I just watched frozen and afraidbut sirens seemed far off so I prayedthen heard her yell, braved that hell myself and brought her outthen I knelt and gave thanks for receiving strengthI never felt these burns, that's how I learnedheaven makes a manand molds him to be all he cangives him the courage to take a standthough a guy is wild he's still a childunless heaven makes a man"it's what God gives to usthat makes us more than dustyeah, heaven makes a manheaven makes a man(c)2006 Robert George