I've known a man for many years
I thought I knew him so
I saw him as quite talented
I thought I'd seen him grow
And then one day I was with him
And looked into his eyes
I saw someone very different
Someone I did not recognize
I'll tell you whom I saw from then
It was a great surprise
The warrior eternal
Stood right there before my eyes
I saw a man with ancestry
He so gracefully did own
Arising from the greatest culture
That the world has ever known
I saw a man with vision
Of a world never been seen
I saw a faith in humankind
History would say is unforeseen
I saw a man with commitment
To all people in the world
I saw a man devoted
To every little boy and girl
I saw a man with love
For people just the way they are
I saw him make a difference
Altering the way things are
I saw a man with dignity
Evident for all to see
I saw a man at peace that day
With his own destiny
I saw a man with courage
When illness brought him to knees
I saw him rise and stand again
An inspiration for all to see
I saw a man with passion
For another day of life
I saw him stand oblivious
To misfortune pain and strife
I saw a man prepared to face
All challenges thrown into his path
Accepting life's eternal struggle
With composure and not wrath
I saw a humble man
Enduring all despite the pain
I saw him rising from the ashes
Time and time again
I saw him stand undaunted
When others saw no hope at all
I saw him causing a miracle
Where others certainly would fall
The warrior eternal
Steadfast to the very end
I remain forever grateful
To still have him as my friend
