A man of few words, was my Grampa Fred.
I always listened to the few things he said.
"Never make a promise you don't intend to keep."
I know it's not profound; nor is it terribly deep.
Living by those words was something I knew I must.
They molded me into someone, that people always trust.
Even folks who dislike me, and don't claim me as a friend,
know that if I make a promise, I'll follow through in the end.
Having my heart kicked about, and promises dropped by lying tongues,
I learned the pain trite words could cause, when I was very young.
With all the energy I possessed, I never made my children a vow,
that I didn't bend over backward to keep; following through, somehow.
If I have been of no other value, to this sad duplicitous world,
I contributed a generation of promise keepers, descending from one tiny girl.
A contest entry
- ...The Wise Old Man... by Desire.
1221 points, ended June 13, 7 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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A wonderful gift you have been given. We are, after all, only as good as our word. Truly well done and one to be so proud of in verse as well as wisdom.
~Pamela 
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Wonderful
This would be a better world if promises made were promises kept. These words of wisdom need to be instilled in every generation and modeled by example as your Grandad did for you. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful write dear poet.
Dennis
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Thank You!
Thank You for Your entry: Promise Keepers
This piece tugged hard at Spirit and after reading several times ~
I'm Honored also Humbled You took the time to pen for my contest
You took the prompt and brought forth much for the Mind to feast upon~
Bravo!! When I digest words written, images come through that grab hard~
Woven Strengths: The emotions weaved within this write~ tight rhyme but most of all the feeling of ~ Yes I Understand where You are coming from
The line: Even folks who dislike me, and don't claim me as a friend know that if I make a promise, I'll follow through in the end
Very Powerful statement there~ Then the line followed after that~ Strong and I imagine there are others who could relate
Now after reading Your words~ images of silver Hearts interlaced-along with You know a wishbone- seeing two hands pull them apart-
one holding each end~ and gesture of names- promises written in the sand~ appears on a beach where it would be considered Paradise
Lover's would stroll under glow of Moon etc I'm being shown reference to *Hold On* to who You are...Never letting go for sake of another
This may sound wild but reference to Your Creator did not bring You into this World to be changed to conform to the likeness of another human
but to show how Unique You truly are and what a Difference this uniqueness can make in how You say: sad duplicitous world
I'm being shown a white candle lit- also interesting a pink ribbon- which I associate with Breast Cancer I'm shown this pink ribbon
and getting images of ~ In God's Holy Temple~ that phrasing
Hopefully my comment to Your write makes sense
Powerful verse and message You have brought forth
These words grabbed and pulled~
If I have been of no other value, to this sad duplicitous world,
I contributed a generation of promise keepers, descending from one tiny girl.
Vivid Imagery poured in these lines...
Thank You for sharing Your Talent also Voice
also best wishes to You in the contest Sweet Soul
Many blessings too 
with much love and light~ Desire~*~
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