The Compass by Mike DeCamp

The Compass

By Michael R. DeCamp

Born, endless roads yet unfollowed

The paths of life still mine to travel

Pain and strife beset those before me

Threatening foggy trails of upheaval

“Love God,” your words were like a compass

Pointing my heart like a needle

Parting the clouds to the horizon

For toddling feet, the trail was level

A child is too young to travel alone

A star was sent to light my way

Not my mother, she guided none the less

She enlightened the path into the fray

I walked and grew, grew and walked

Not yet a man, no longer a boy

The road had forks, enticing diversions

Compass forgotten, life to enjoy

Friends were sent to set my foot right

Words of faith, friendship, and direction

“Do you believe?” they asked “Will you keep walking?”

“Oh yes,” I said, immersed in reflection

Retrieving my compass, I cast my eyes forward

The road is long, and not for the sprinter

“I see it!” I said.  “I know where I’m going!”

The horizon comes on without drawing nearer

Alone on the road, I was given a heart

A heart to hold, cherish, or squander

“Will you?” I asked.  “I will,” she replied

“I’ll hold it,” I said, “and cherish it yonder”

We took up the path, walking together

United both hearts and minds

Soon, we were four and onward we traveled

Compass in mind, but forgotten sometimes

The road became dusty and hard to decipher

Sometimes it would wind, rise, and wander

Sometimes it grew lonely, dusty, and scattered.

“Am I going the right way?” I would pause and wonder

I have traveled that road from there to here

The forks still enticing as ever

But, I’ve still not reached my true destination

The road stretches on, and on; seems forever

I no longer claim to know its end

And still the path sometimes grows gray

But, when I’m unsure, not knowing the next step…

You stoop to my ear, whisper, and say:

“Look higher my son, and remember your compass.”

Dedicated to:

Emma Ogletree, the “Star” who introduced me to church

Mike Runcie & Neil Parsons, the youth ministers who “set my foot right”

Nancy DeCamp, the “Heart” I will always “cherish”

And especially dedicated to…

Ralph R. DeCamp, my father, and the man who gave me my “Compass.”

L to R: Mike DeCamp, Ralph DeCamp, David DeCamp