A Scoutmaster's Prayer

[fgoodwin]

A Scoutmaster's Prayer

 

http://web.archive.org/web/19990424100953/www.ruralnet.net/~koshare/buck.html

http://tinyurl.com/obn7j

 

This poem was written years ago during World War II on a night preceding a Koshare Christmas party. Buck Burshears, while trying to figure out something to say at the banquet the following night had just learned that another of his boys, one of his Koshares was missing in action. The result was the poem, "A Scoutmasters Prayer", which Buck spent most of the night writing.

 

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A Scoutmaster's Prayer

 

A little boy came knocking at my Scout room door.

An awfully little fellow, just twelve and no more.

 

His eyes danced as he watched my gang at rowdy play.

"I would like to be a Scout," he said, "Im twelve just yesterday.

 

In the weeks to come he found his place, a trim young Scout he made.

The tests he passed with eagerness, a thorough job sure paid.

 

The oath, the laws, the knots and flag, were taken to his heart.

A better man he was sure to be tho hed just begun to start.

 

By the candle lighted darkness I watched his round face beam

As the oath and law he pledged to keep - just like a prayer it seemed.

 

The years to come were happy ones as we followed the trail -

That greater men had laid for us far up where eagles sail.

 

I watched him grow from boy to man, the days were far too few,

To try to teach the important things that Scouting said were true.

 

I didnt know so long ago our nation he would defend,

I only saw a job to do, a helping hand to lend.

 

Now hes flying higher still with silver wings up there.

I pray to God the job I did was better than just fair.

 

He thanked me once for what I did so many years ago.

It was not his thanks that paid me because he did not know

 

That greater thanks hed given me a thousand times before

By his dancing eyes and smiling face - could one ask for more?

 

There are other boys a-knocking, I must invite them in.

Please, God, give me strength to make them better men.

[SSScout]

Very well said. Thank you.

[EagleInKY]

Thanks, very nice.

[Cus111]

Interesting, thank you!

 

This was written about my father, and the others who died. My Dad had just been reported missing in action. His plane was shot down over Germany, WWII in the "Massacre at Merseburg". A lot of boys lost their lives. My Father, Custis Green Jr. was an eagle Scout through the Koshare Indian Dancers in La Junta Colorado and Buck was his Scoutmaster and mentor.

 

Dad wrote a poem in response entitled: "An Answer to the Scoutmaster's Prayer".

 

He is alive and well, living in hawaii. He will turn 90 years young in a couple of months.

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

Custis Green III