Godson 

I doubt you’ll be a simple kind of man
but listen to the song.  It’s a good plan.

Cuss rarely and for maximum effect.
Attention doesn’t mean you’ve won respect.

In friendship, better to be true than nice.
Receive and give the needed hard advice.

With kids and dogs, aim for gruff gentleness.
Don’t suffer much from fools. From bullies, less.

You’re smart, but you will never know it all.
Sometimes there is a blessing in a fall.

Your family isn’t perfect. This is true.
But then again, godson, neither are you.

Don’t take for granted any humble good.
Learn how to hunt and cook and work with wood.

Don’t be a puppet strung to appetites.
You won’t be free until you win those fights.

I pray dark thoughts won’t eat away your mind
and that, when lost, you’ll seek until you find.

I hope you’ll be a better man than me
with a sincere irreverent piety.