Life's Laments

My granddaughter Payton and I contemplating the mysteries of the universe.

Winds of change follow where I go

sirens cry o'er the sea

For what I wished I'll never know

songs they sing all speak to me

 

Had I missed a chance at ardor

to play, to run or to roam

Perhaps if I'd traveled farther

somewhere else I might call home

 

These the thoughts of a selfish heart

from love I could not render

Once loneliness had torn apart

all feelings that were tender

 

The hallowed heart I’d wished to find

most this life spent running to

Was never known to be too kind

longed for what it never knew

 

I spent this life a burning flame

forged eternally on the run

I have only myself to blame

For the things that I have done

 

These truths of life come slow to some

lessons I learned the hard way

It’s not the night that one runs from

it’s light of our darkest day

 

My wife has settled me a bit

such a handsome girl is she

She has my heart and well knows it

a better man lives in me

 

Author's Note

I am forever looking back upon the road I traversed. I don't always like what I see. But I have for reasons unknown to me always been able to see the better angel of my nature. I look into the hopeful eyes of my granddaughter and see the beautiful soul of innocence. It is for that hope that I strive to be a better man.

Reviews

[Kes]

This is a really beautiful poem. I'm still quite young - in the process of making mistakes and never staying in one place for too long and trying to carve myself a place in the world. The decisions I make now are the ones I will look back on one day. But who ever regrets something they gave their absolute all? You just have to remember that whatever you've done in the past - good or bad - that's what's got you where you are. Personally, I'm glad you've got things to look back on and things to live for, or I wouldn't be presented with such beautiful poetry so often. :)
K

[Shelley Holt-Lowrey]

Tate - nicely done. Your writing is so much about who you are - where you live Reading your poetry is always such a step into your personal space... Few are brave enough to do this. On THIS piece - love it! I have two LOYAL causes in life... (aside from my child who comes with an entire set of his own), and both tend to cause a knee jerk reaction whereby I rush headlong to justice... often foolishly. NUMBER ONE: FAILURE TO OWN! In this piece, you take total responsibility for all of the parts of your life - you own your life and actions, and all the good, the bad and the in between. Such RESPECT for that! Refreshing to read this... so few people do this anymore. Would that more people would... so much less conflict if it were so. Thank you :)

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

beautiful verse Tate, as always. :)

[eatmills]

Tate, this poem has hit a personal string with me. I read it and felt my reflection through your words.

Well written and I enjoyed the resolve of your poem.

[BlackRose]

I really like this. I felt the emotions as I was reading through. You are lucky than some to have what you have. Don't look into the past as failure or it being bad. But see as what brought you here and what it took to have all that you have. And look back more at all the good things you had and still have along the way.

[lee von cleef]

Soft again,mixing old and new words is natural for you,Running from the light of our darkest day, A lot of salt
in that line,
Smile Cleef,

[ewest1220]

Very very beautiful Tate. I love how this is written and the honest feel of this piece. Great job!

[Extant]

This is a personal write, but also a poem that a reader can relate to. I can look back on my own decisions and ask the same thing, "Perhaps if I'd traveled farther; somewhere else I might call home". But I too, look where I have ended, and now I wonder what else I could want?

[A love for poetry]

Nice, I liked it.

Beautiful self knowledge here Tate, I admire that.
I see you growing still, through all storms, and hard
Ways, you've been through. Yet here, I feel the
Need to rest... I like your wife. She's as me, when
It comes to troubles. :) Beautiful write dear Poet.

Keep on sharing your honesty, and the "true you"
I adore it.

E.L.