Talking with Father

What is this I see before my eyes?

An eagle in a tree, it tries to speak to me.

Eagle says, "Follow me, for I am father, the way of the warrior, come my child, around the fire we shall gather."

Me: "Is it there I'll acquire the answer I seek?"

Eagle: "Answers flow in the wind, not my peak, listen and be still, child, for you are at times too wild."

Me: "I must know the way to grow, my family and I, the pain is too hard, what is there to gain? I can't help but guard."

Eagle: "Look into the fire, you will see what you desire, but be told your calling is of something far higher."

Higher? I ask myself, "What could be higher than what my heart desires?"

Eagle: "My child, listen to the winds, hear the voices from spirits within."

Me: "I hear pain, heartache, and question what is the meaning of this part?"

Eagle: "They are sad because their lands are lost, they question how it could have come to this, their hearts ache for they are missing loving parts without their family."

Me: "Eagle, please, what are you trying to tell me? I hear the past, I feel my ancestors in the grass next to me, I hear them in the winds, all great men."

Eagle: "Yes, my child, but why are they great men? Learn from where they have been."

Me: "They are great men because of the warriors they had within."

Eagle: "This is true, but they were great men, for they were fathers, whose blood flows in your veins, now look into the glow and see what you can gain."

Me: "I see children, beautiful girls in ribbons and pearls."

Eagle: "Yes, now you see the greater calling is to go from childhood to fatherhood, that is the calling of all great men, a blessing not only to be remembered but so you may live on in the hearts, memories, and stories told by your children."

Me: "I understand, now, Eagle, the higher calling is my most desire."

The eagle flew away but I'm thankful to say at death my name will not stay. For I am father, my blood flows through my children's veins forever in heaven's glow.