I am amongst the richest of men

Tim, Cathy, Dan and Ben- all Ebenezer Public School students, 1986

For my children –Daniel, Catherine, Benjamin and Timothy- and for my wife, Diana, the source of all my wealth.

There once was a time when I was poor,

When my house was dim and empty,

When wind rattled through my empty vaults

With a bleak insistent constancy.

But I am amongst the richest of men,

My vault has wealth untold,

My treasury is full of sparkling things

And I dwell in a palace of gold.

My wealth is based on four unique pillars,

From one quarry cut but standing discretely,

And now I declare that I love each one

Completely, fervently and equally.

Did I once fear that this wealth must leave

And the cold, empty wind could blow again?

No! Time has wrought the hoped-for change;

This wealth -my children-  have become my friends.

For my wealth is not in things that rust,

Or moth can corrupt, or thief can steal,

For I am rich in care, hope and love,

In all the deep things the heart can feel.

So I care little for success or fame,

Or for any trinkets for which men lust.

Compared to the things in which I am rich

They are not much more than worthless dust.

So I am amongst the richest of men,

My vault has wealth untold,

My treasury is full of sparkling things

And I dwell in a palace of gold.

Ben, Cathy, Dan and Tim, I think around 2000