A Grandfather’s Blessing

Arise beautiful man from your slumbers
Your boyhood days all were numbered
and now are gone
That cygnet between your legs
is become a swan
who needs to fly far away from home
before he finds his song

Arise beautiful man from your well-fed sleep
And though your mother may weep
at your departure
let your heart be sure
that from the very start
she knew this day would come

Arise beautiful man from your innocent rest
And should your father invest
too much of himself in your progress
then put his spies to death
wish him all the best
and journey on

Arise beautiful man from your childish dreams
And leave these pleasant, drowsy streams
for the raucous river that will cut your skin
that will let you drown or make you swim
that will open up and let you in
and race you back home to the ocean