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

[Mockingbird]

i also look back upon my life and question my choices. it's hard to move on from mistakes, but i believe we make up for it in our presence and futures. there are regrets but we should be grateful for where we are now. very thought-provoking poem. excellent work.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

The dancing feel to the piece lends to the great power with which you write. Lifes mistakes can bend our will and make us what we are, a most enjoyable piece.

[Dean Kuch®]

Poignantly touching and lyrical, this so wisely speaks of regret and one's own sacrifice of youth, a boy finally giving in to the rigors and responsibilites that growing up and becomming a man encompasses. We realize, albeit, sometimes very late in life, the mistakes we've made in the past in our younger, more carefree days. But what inevitably separates the boys from the men is experiencing life's hard lessons, realizing our past failures and shortcomings, and vowing to never make the same mistakes again.
Excellently written, impeccable rythm and flow...simply wonderful...

[Michael G.]

Excellent flow, rhyme, and rhythm to this piece. Though reading your work, I expect no less. Your thoughts of living are echoed well for many to see and relate. Your work here, poet, was done well.

[Dayran]

There are many reasons why we may have persisted in an obsession about ourselves. Some of these include the suggestion that we can try harder where others gave up or that we can bring a greater weight of concern. When we stop we are suddenly assailed by more than our own motivations for what we did. We become inundated with the doubts of excuses, escapism, denial, self vanity....etc. It would therefore be very important that we keep our own counsel. In many ways a wife may do just that.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree with your words. I have my two grandsons with me. Everyday their laughter give me energy to keep going to be able to see them grow up strong and healthy. Thank you for your amazing thoughts and poetry. A outstanding poem.
Coyote

[...]

What a wonderful tribute to your wife, tate :) Glad you made it through the tough times. Now you have a good foundation :)

[Distant horizons]

The path we tread may have regrets along the way, but somewhere off in the distance, there is hope. It is what makes us carry on. Beautifully penned, as ever Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Yours is a good soul Lorri

[Distant horizons]

i'm only renting it :-)

[Tate Morgan]

hahahah

[Droll Prole]

Your wife is lucky to be with someone so devoted to loving her. It is good to read about some honourable love for once.

[Michael Thrower]

Wow, not only is this the first poem I've read on here in a while with rhyming, it also flows! And means something! This is great, I shelved it in my favorites. A very keen insight into your life. A lot of feelings and pictures come to the reader's mind through this. I'm in awe.