Heart and Soul

This poem is about a family who, a few years ago was stranded in the middle of nowhere, in the snow. The husband took it upon himself to walk for miles in the cold so that he could save his family and himself. He endured many obstacles on the way. In the end his body was found in the mountains. He suffered death at the hands of hypothermia. His family was rescued and survived.

Through ice and snow, water and streams,
brush thick with trees,
mountains steep with trails of feet,
miles for famine retrieve.

Determination found and gracious will,
courage to cope with ill,
destined a man who journeyed the land,
to search the frost-bitten hills.

Fighting cold and challenging snow,
he set forth for the vast unknown,
we now know his name, we worship and praise,
we know him as heart and soul.

Through shivering temps and biting winds,
involuntary chattering teeth,
strength within, he journeyed to live,
just so his family could eat.

Never seen such a remarkable man,
heaven as his guide,
passing away for care of those,
for those he loved with pride.

Sacrificed, a heart of gold,
let this story be told,
we're proud to know and worship this man,
to name him heart and soul.

Never ever will we forget
such compassion and amazing grace,
his kindred spirit donning on us
from the pearly gates.

When I have kids I would like them to know
of the man with a heart of gold,
I would tell them he lived his life
just like this story told.

Through rough terrain he sacrificed his life
so others could survive the cold,
the life he led will live on you see,
he is the model of heart and soul.

Paul Hickey
11-8-11