The goatee-bearded giant

Over 6” tall and strong

Like Buffalo Bill was stepping out

From a book or from a song

Held out a knarled and knotted hand

As he stepped down from the train

And I handed him a newspaper

In the lashing Durham rain

As he looked at me through wise grey eyes

Great dignity shone there

From a regal countenance

Framed by locks of mossy hair

Then reaching into pockets deep

In a voice that held great range

His words came soft and slow

“That’s alright lad, keep the change”

He spread his branches far and wide

Like a mighty tree

That shelters its community 

Beneath its canopy

And with a heart of oak

He planted all that he knew

And from his deep-set roots

Many precious acorns grew

I heard he’d been a brawler

Of wandering gypsy stock

An ill-educated drunkard

Built out of solid rock

Until he clawed his way up from the rough

Like an eagle taking flight

He said “Lads, it’s knowledge that we need”

Knowing it would be all right

His education came from

The University of Life

In the pits, the States, South Africa

He found that all workers’ strife

Was just the same throughout the world

And from gaining this insight

‘Long Pete’ resolved to serve his class

Saying, “It will be all right”

He gave all to serve his people

Asking nothing in return

It’s a very simple lesson

From which we all could learn

With an endless reservoir of strength

He laboured day and night

For the betterment of his people

Saying “it will be all right”

The last time that I saw him

His library was complete

And his back still fit the burden

Of each task he chose to meet

To this visionary scholar

I said “please don’t give up the fight”

“Don’t worry lad”, he replied

“It will be all right”

And though Peter Lee is gone

Others carry forth his flame

Fighting deprivation

In the town that bears his name

And I sense his spirit comforting

Throughout the darkening night

Each struggling soul without a voice

Saying “it will be all right”

He spread his great hands far and wide

Like a mighty tree

To shelter his community 

Beneath his canopy

And with a heart of oak

He planted everything he knew

And from his deep-formed roots

Many precious acorns grew

But of all his worth and all his deeds

And for all his towering might

I still hear those simple words

“It will be all right”

And I know it will be all right

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