What Makes?

He makes a man and takes a man
The foundations of this life were made
His kindness the torch for their adventure
Toll for map and compass paid

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A man is honest, a man is humble,
kind, forgiving, generous and brave
Strength is found in control and patience
And in those we try to save

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If only -- what if?
These statements are tools of pain
Instead, it is what was and what is
The benefits to be seen, are plain

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Man makes a house with his spouse
But it's about the impression that is made
Who is he, and who's that to me?
A guardian, who's impact stayed

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He protected me and taught me
Showed what relationships should be like
Life lessons were imparted,
just 'like riding a bike'

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I learnt and gained more than could asked for
And given more than deserved
Gratitude can't balance this transaction
The knowledge has been served

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So what makes this man,
but actions and intent
It's the shared memories,
and what they meant

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But that's the man that makes I am
The one that says that maybe I can
If not for you, there was no me
Beyond literally, you allowed me to see

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Without you I am no longer me
Becoming this future thing of a person
The likes of which I am yet to see
Let's hope I get on with this new version

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But both you and I are yet to be lost
This new me, is still from you
They will keep you with them at a cost
I know, it is what you'd want me to do

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What makes me -- a man like he?
Can only be compassion
Without he, this me wouldn't know how to be
To make you proud must be my action

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This man's character has been set
eyes of other see me
I hope they see you
An achievement to be met

Time is time and lives are twisted
I barely blink,
and it is like I missed it

But there it is, as far as we've come
both to travel on their way
thank you for the road so far
it's not all gone after today

Not just in my head, but in my soul
There will always be a part of you
That makes this man a whole