Since the tender age of sixteen years
you've journeyed from your home.
Risking defamation , often jeers
as through the world you'd roam.

The fires of your own belief
blazed fiercely from your eyes.
The core of your message always brief
"Don't listen to the king of lies".

So many others preached like you
but they wound up with feet of clay.
Their false faith was seen through
and their integrity soon went away.

But you kept on living your belief
a living example to us all.
You'd comfort us in time of grief
while fulfilling your true call.

Over time the brimstone left your words
replaced by words of hope and love
which flew from you like fleeting birds
on their way to somewhere up above.

And your faith was always steady
for it was deep and strong
shared with anybody ready
to listen to your relayed song.

Slowly the years caught up with you
as they do to every man.
And your body restricted you.
You saw it as your savior's plan.

Today you flickered and went away.
And our world is now a lesser place.
But I know you've awaited this very day
when you'd finally receive full grace.

*For Billy Graham