A MAN NAMED WESLEY
(T. Beechey)
A man named Wesley Autrey from New York City town
Along with his two daughters,he's now heaven-bound
He built buildings for a living,but what matters to the Son
His heart and soul by giving the gift of life back to someone
He was just a stranger,but Wesley had another plan
He put his life in danger to save his brother man
Some say that he was braver,but he has another view
He only did what the Savior did for me and you
It was just another day,just like every other day
Wes was on his way to earn his wage and pay
He built buildings for a living,both high-rise and single-floor
But today he'd be giving something that was so much more
As he waited for the subway,he looked down upon the track
There he saw a stranger lay without movement on his back
The subway train was coming,Wes knew what he had to do
Just as the train was humming at full speed and in full view
Without hesitation,Wes jumped into its path
Mindless of the consequences or the aftermath
He lifted up the stranger and put him in the clear
This noble Navy ranger and we sing about him here
He was just a stranger,but Wesley had another plan
He put his life in danger to save his brother man
Some say that he was braver,but he has another view
He only did what the Savior did for me and you
Now,he wants to return to how it used to be
Doing his work to earn his wage for his family
He doesn't want parades or medals for his feats
But there's a Place already made in the Land of Golden Streets
He was just a stranger,but Wesley had another plan
He put his life in danger to save his brother man
Some say that he was braver,but he has another view
He only did what the Savior did for me and you
A contest entry
- Subway Superman by ea.
500 points, ended January 9, 2007, 5 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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oh daddy, this poem is so good! i read about this man, wesley, some days ago - and then i thought "hm, maybe he's this wesley my daddy wrote about" he is...
this is wonderfully written - and wonderfully sung, because i listened to the song by ea. it is great!
you deserve a gold trophy for it, daddy!
love you always... jo
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awww, oh my goodness this was incredible. I'm sincerely in awe, very good job
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Thank you very much,I sincerely appreciate your kind words
Tom
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I'd totally make this into a song. I love how you got the point across and that he didnt want to be glorified for it, thats sort of how I think of it. I like it alot. Very well written, flows very well and some thought was well put in this.
-ALI -
this is a very good poem. kudos to you. i love it. very emotional.
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Wow
Fantastic!! I love the way it was written. You really brought out the story well. Wonderful!!!
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I like this poem, the fact that you repeated one whole stanza was original and tyed in nicely with the whole concept of this poem. i did feel, however, that you needn't have repeated it that last time, that the last time was just a bit too much. The flow was good, the lines almost completely symmetrical, and the rhyming didn't sound forced at all. I love this poem, and think you did an excellent job. Great job and keep writing.
Tiphanie -
Good poem.
Rather than echoing what other commenters have already said well, I will play the editor:
You should always put a blank after every comma.
Line 2 implies that the daughters are heaven-bound, but it is not clear why. If you wish simply to tell us that he's a father, how about:
The father of two daughters, he's now heaven-bound.
Line 8 and its repetitions: You might consider changing "only did" to "did only".
Line 14: you might change "lay" to "lying". -
Wow! I love the rhythm in this! The repetition is placed perfectly, giving the poem meaning and a clever plot. I loved the way you talked about how Wesley was just a regular guy on his way to work, but how the day was going to change his life, then we went to the subway with Wesley and witnessed the event, as promised before hand. This is such a brilliant write. Very Well Done!!!
Kay -
Very Good
This is really good. I believe we have all heard
this wonderful mans story. The sad thing is that
it is such big news. And it is big news because it
is rare. And it is rare because people do not go out
of their way to help others very often anymore.
So as much as his story is wonderful, it is sad too.
I love the repitition of:
"He was just a stranger,but Wesley had another plan
He put his life in danger to save his brother man
Some say that he was braver,but he has another view
He only did what the Savior did for me and you"
that makes a wonderful chorus.
great job on this.
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very good
this is a lovely dedication to a real life hero.i live in the uk and heard about what he did through the internet news.there are many who would hesitate for even a friend and yet this man saved a taotal stranger..amazing bravery and love for fellow men
good luck in the contest with this very lovely dedication
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Brava
reminds me of the old ballad "Put Silver Wings on my son's chest..."
Brava Tom.... I truly hope others will be inspired by Wesley's selflessness.
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This efinately has the feel and sound of a song to be put to music.
I heard about this incident even over here in the UK.... a brave man indeed.
Well written and covers the subject well.
Ann
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That's exactly what I was trying to do...thank you
Tom
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I have been watching this on CNN and am amazed at his bravery and heroism. He thought nothing of getting a reward as he saved that young man's life. I can't say I know too many people who would be so unselfish as to put their own life in danger for that of another. Renews my faith in humankind when I see something like this.
Your poem will sound great to music. Great job writing about his absolutely wonderful rescue.
Love and luck in all you endeavor.
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If only the world could possess one-eighth of his unselfishness...he is a true inspiration and thank you very much for your comment
Tom
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Fabulous
Wow, this is so fabulous! I can already hear this being sung and I'm sure Wesley would be very moved to read this folk ballad written in his honor. Thanks a bunch!
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Thank you so much!
Tom
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