Aggie Rings
"Howdy, son," he said extending a wrinkled hand
Callused and worn, he held it out
And I noticed a golden band.
The old man walked with a cane,
And could barely see me, I’ll bet,
But had something to say – that Spring day –
Which I know I’ll never forget.
That brassy lump was hard to read,
Worn out from time long passed,
But it fit his hand, and he fit it –
A union built to last.
Despite his age, despite its nicks,
He had worn it all this time,
Like an old, old vow to someone close,
Or a holy vow – sublime.
Through the years of growth, years
Of pain, a man changes in many ways,
But something made him wear
That thing since his college days.
So I took his hand, shook it well,
And sensed there was something great.
"Glad to meetcha," he smiled an Aggie smile,
"Class of ’38
You see, I left A&M two years ago –
With a diploma and a ton of ambition,
Loved the place and the pride, my friends and the yells –
But now I’m in a different position.
I’m out of class, off the campus,
In business circles and such,
So wearing my ring and supporting the school
Didn’t seem to matter all that much.
But everything changed that day I met Jack,
And hen yapped my Spirit so deeply,
And spoke to me of a place so dear,
And a bond I know completely.
He reminded me in an instant
That each of us has a part to play,
To honor that school, and keep the faith,
Even, though far away.
Jack told me of a friend he had,
Who kept him up in school,
Who helped him study, taught him to march,
And obey each Aggie rule.
"Be true to a trust, stand by the right,
He told me," old Jack grinned,
"I never would have survived fish year,
If it weren’t for my closest friend."
Then Jack bowed his head and paused a bit,
And added with a sigh –
"But I lost him back in War World II.
On Omaha Beach, where heroes lie.
"So I wear it for him," Jack raised his head.
"This ring is my tribute and my pride,
"In those Aggies who went before me,
And most of whom have died.
"I wear it for those who cannot.
I wear it for those who would.
"And I wear it too for kids like you,
Who know they really should."
Jack smiled at me, and patted my back,
And scuffled off on his way –
Not knowing, I’m sure, how much he said,
Or how he changed me that day.
So I wear my ring these days for Jack,
Who’s had his on since ’38.
The crest, the words, that mean so much.
The symbol of a place so great.
It’s small thing, really. A minor matter,
Which other schools probably lack,
But a band of gold can say a lot,
According to a man name Jack.
By Jeff Brady ‘86
