Man in the Back Row

He sat in the back row of that little church 
He and his wife the salt of the earth
Wore overalls and she a homemade dress
I know now what they were really worth

‘Coon hunted with him some nights
After he cut mining timbers all day
This mountain of a man in his 70s
He wouldn’t have it any other way

Seemed to be looking straight at Jesus 
With the brightest blue I eyes ever saw
His face showed his simple honesty
That knowing smile a lesson for all

I wasn’t there when that man left us
I have no doubt his faith stayed strong
Probably crossed still looking at Jesus 
Knew he now was where he belonged. 

JBentley-18Nov2024