A dedication by Norma Carr

DEDICATED
TO
ANDALECIO TROCHEZ
(Sep 7, 1891 to Feb 17,1984)

This poem was a favorite of our dear ANDALECIO TROCHEZ.
He recited it many times to his parents and family,
and it was recited last on his 90th birthday.
Because ANDALECIO TROCHEZ has touched all our lives,
we would like to share it with you.
It truly tells the story of our brother, father, uncle, grand-father and friend.
We feel this poem was written expecially for him.
It tells us what a great and loving person he was.
ANDALECIO TROCHEZ will surely be missed
and we know he will stay in our hearts forever.

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The German King

A workman plied his clumsy spade
As the sun was going down;
The German King, with his cavalcade,
Was coming into town.

The king stopped short at the old man’s side
“My friend,” why work so late? said he
“Why not cease at evening tide
When thy labor should be free?”

“I do not slave,” the old man said,
“And I am always free!
Though I work from the time I leave my bed
Till I can hardly see.”

“How much,” said the King, “Is thy gain a day?”
“Eight groschens,” the man replied.
“And canst thou live on this meager pay?”
“Like a king,” he said with pride.

“Two for me and my wife, good friend,
And two for a debt I owe;
Two to spend and two to lend,
For those who can’t labor, you know.”

“Thy debt?” said the King; said the laborer, “Yea,
To my mother with age oppressed,
Who cared for me, toiled for me,
Many a day and now hath need of rest.”

“And to whom dost lend of thy daily store?”
“To my boys – for their shooling; you see.
When I am too feeble to toil any more,
They will care for their mother and me.”

” And thy last two groschens?” the monarch said.
“My sisters are old and lame;
I give them two groschens for rainment and bread,
All in the Father’s name.”

Tears welled up in the good King’s eyes.
“Thou knowest me not,” said he;
“As thou hast given me one surprise,
Here is another for thee.”

“I am the king; give me thy hand”-
And he heaped it high with gold.
When more thou needest, I command
That I at once be told.

“For I would bless with rich reward
The man who can proudly say
That eight souls he doth keep and guard
On eight poor groschens a day.”

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My father (Andalecio) recited this poem to me many,many times when I was growing up.
It truly is a reflection of the kind of man he was.
I will ALWAYS remember him. …

( Leonard Trochez )
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