The Blacksmith

The blacksmith bows his head in prayer
He kneels upon the pew
He thinks he hears an angel sing,
A voice soft, sweet, and true

The voice sounds like his late wife's
But it is that of his daughter
As he looks up, his tears mix in
With the priest's holy water

His name was Jedidiah
He was strong of heart and arm
A powerful, respected man
No one could do him harm

He'd learned his trade from his father
So many years before
He loved his people and his work
He wanted nothing more

His older brothers, samely trained
Had quickly fled the town
Rather than work their father's forge
They wore a soldier's crown

But Jedidiah stayed his side
Acknowledged all he could
And bore the family burden
That his brother's had withstood

But when he was just seventeen
Our hero's father died
And Jedidiah hung his head
In sadness great, he cried

He'd never known his mother
Now his father too was gone
But Jedidiah knew his task
He vowed to soldier on

He grew into a strapping man
With skin so clear and fair
And shoulders broad and armor strong
Beneath his long, black hair

And what is more, at 6 foot 4
He towered above most men
To any man or friend in need
His hand he would extend

The women of the village
And of many towns beyond
Admired Jedidiah
Of his figure they were fond

But Jedidiah chose the one
Who's heart was pure and true
Their happiness would be secure;
That in his heart he knew

And yes, indeed, it truly was
In many years that came
In time she bore him four strong sons
None of them quite the same

Thus fifteen years passed quickly by
'Till she missed her monthly cue
She waited to inform him thus
Until at last she knew

But as the months slipped away
She developed a great fear
That she, Jedidiah's wife
Would die in labor late that year

And indeed it did come to pass
On a cold December's eve
As her first daughter was born
She was forced to take her leave

Her mother's eyes and smile
The young girl could never see
All she knew was that their
Names had been the same - Penelope

Now Jedidiah looks at her
Into her eyes so blue
And vows to her and his four sons
He always will be true

And through it all, our hero
Remains tall, steadfast, and strong
For this he knows above all else
Life always will go on