Watched a Ted Talk with my princesses on branding.

Brand Me
by Michael Doyle

Thinking back on life
Through all of the joy and strife
There has been one question
Held back with some hesitation

What then is my story?
In what then is my glory?
Is there then, any?
In all of my moments of many

First chorus song as choir boy
Filled with American pride and joy
I was going to become the president
Devoting all passion toward this as precedent

Nose held down on the grindstone
Between study and books read alone
Making all-stars on every team
I had no idea, the craziness of this dream

Thinking back on life
Through all the joy and strife
There has been one question
Held back with some hesitation

What then is my story?
In the what then is my glory
Is there then, any?
In all of my moments of many

Having reached the age of eighteen
I put away my young boy dreams
Turning my back on these to be a military man
Devoting myself to being All-American

Wounded body and wounded pride
Taking each in the fullest stride
I spent years believing I'd go to hell
At times that would have been just as well

Thinking back on life
Through all the joy and strife
There has been one question
Held back with some hesitation

What then is my story?
Honor given and bound for glory
What is that then if it means any
In all my moments spent, too many

The best of life now lies in bed
Their laughter echoing in my head
Two princesses that I love and adore
At my place, they'll find their open door

Thinking back on conversation and dreams
Placed in my life like a thousand sunbeams
I thank God for trusting their care to me
Considering this privilege of my dear family

Perhaps this then is all that I'll ever be
If so, that's a fine enough place of destiny
If my tombstone only reads 'a man who loves his family'
I will go to my grave humbled but gratefully

(c) June 20, 2020  Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved