Robert McRook
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.