The Masterful Man

By Clyde E. Gumbs

Born into a world

Where all are told to make the grade

Born a man inside this world

What role is to be played

Be a man a man is told

Make sure that you are never weak

Prove yourself time and again

Other’s respect you’re told to seek

Protect your image at all costs

Prestige and status to be earned

Be a good player of the game

Use all the tricks that can be learned

Acquire treasure and great wealth

Be known for what you have and do

Measure your worth in others’ eyes

Provide for those who follow you

Be a religious man they tell

Profess your faith for all to see

Appearances of righteousness

To be maintained religiously

Fight evil constantly they tell

Defeat all foes who come your way

The ends justify the means they tell

When you must save the day

But what is the point of that existence

Holding your ego oh so dear

What is the point of validation

What is the point of greed and fear

There is a man who is divine

Gift to those born and yet to be

There is a man of purpose pure

There is a man of destiny

There is a man of awesome power

The power of all divinity

Instrumentality of purpose

The champion of all humanity

There is a man of selfless service

Used for the benefit of all

He is a servant of humanity

Who answers each inspired call

There is a man of inspiration

His stands inspire powerfully

He inspires those who witness him

To be what no one thought could be

There is a man of love and gratitude

Devoted to having all life thrive

His appreciation boundless

For each moment he’s alive

There is a man of priceless presence

The man who all would love to be

There is a man of endless passion

Eternal source of ecstasy

There is a man of lasting legacy

His lineage, his progeny

His devotion to his seed revered

By all humanity

There is a man who is for certain

The man that he was born to be

The Masterful Man fulfills his purpose