Ole Captain, Sir

I walked my bones to the meadow, where all the gravestones stood.
Ole Captain, he was sittin' there, upon a piece of wood.
I said to him, "Ole Captain, Sir, I think I'm ready to go."
He laughed beneath his wide-brimmed hat, "You're really quite a show."
"But," I said, "Ole Captain, Sir, I'm really in a bind."
Ole Captain crowed, "You don't understand - You're the breathin' kind."
"Then let me borrow that pistol there, everything will be just fine."
Ole Captain looked at me solemnly, said, "Promise no suicide."

"God gave you a gift, son, you too easily forget.
If God wanted you back yet, a choice you would not get!"

Ole Captain gently on my shoulder placed his calloused hand.
He made me promise faithfully no harm by my own hand.
"You have great potential, son, if only you could see.
I'll help you, boy, just as long as you don't go forsaking me."
I smiled and shook that working hand.  "Aw, that's better now,"
Ole Captain gently, softly said, worry lines melting from his brow.
This Ole Captain was a man for sure - I saw him, touched his hand,
But a short moment later I blinked, I was there alone on the land.

"God gave you a gift, son, you too easily forget.
If God wanted you back yet, a choice you would not get!"

"What? Me forsake him," I thought, anger rising in my veins.
But Ole Captain whispered in my ear, "Now you take the reins."
"I don't know how, you said you'd help!" I shouted at the air.
"I'm helping you every moment, son, and trust me, you'll get there."
"Where am I supposed to go?  You left me by myself!"
I collapsed, heartbroken, on the ground at the hand I'd just been dealt.
Ole Captain said, "I'll always be a part of you, your being.
I've shaped you long enough now that you've learned to begin seeing."

And that was it, I never saw Ole Captain himself again,
But mentor, friend, and father he was - He helped my life begin.