Lessons for Tate

Life isn't easy. It isn't meant to be. I'm not one who believes finishing 3rd is winning. We do children a disservice awarding them trophies for participation. Life is a struggle beginning to end.

Tatortot and I. A few years ago

These scars I wear each tell a tale

of moments I'll never forget

When loves spark, had once left it's mark

and the fates had called in their debt

 

My legs torn by years of abuse

racing horses like all my kin

I'd gone down hard, leaving them scarred

the limestone would tear off your skin

 

But these were offerings of note

in a life spent chasing ideals

Testing extremes, of my own dreams

run down more than once by the wheels

 

Son you can't live your life afraid

of each danger that comes your way

So play the odds, tempt the damn gods

rise up and face each new born day

 

When you are but old and feeble

with your grandchild upon your knee

Tell your stories, of life's glories

show him the scars so he can see

 

A life spent cowering from pain

will  leave you so aching inside

The gift you'd miss, from life's sweet kiss

knowing you never even tried

   

Younger days when I believed. "Ill sleep when I am dead.

 

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

We learn more by losing then we do by winning. I once raced bicycles. And I saw how characters were shaped by the level of sportsmanship shown by losers.
My takeaway? Pride is found in having the guts to mount up and ride rather than let them pass you by.
Well spoken, my friend.

[Tate Morgan]

You know that you are correct. It’s only when one loses that they learn about themselves. Sportsmanship comes from congratulating someone who tried as hard as you did and beat you being kind to them will cause reciprocation. I remember a story from the Olympics I believe it was in the 60s. Too long distance runners they had chased one another for 20 years one of them always finish second. The same one after numerous times at the podium the more magnanimous winner gave his gold medal to his adversary because without him he would’ve never amounted to anything and he recognized that the man had been the reason he had pushed himself for so long and so hard Exactly 64 years ago today on Jun 1, 1954 – Emil Zatopek runs World Record 10,000 meters 28:54.2. This was the first sub-29 minute clocking and his 4th 10k World Record. The amazing Czech Rocket won the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and marathon at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland - an unparalleled achievement! One of the most beautiful things he did was to secretly give a small box to Australian Ron Clarke with one of his Olympic Gold medals as he thought Ron would have earned a Gold medal if the 1968 Olympics weren't at altitude. (Photo - Ron Clarke with the gold medal Emil gifted to him.)

[Tate Morgan]

I left at the end of that story off of the web I had to go looking for it because I couldn’t remember it

[M. J. Smith]

An amazing man. One this drifter would have loved to meet. Thank you for the story.

[JE Falcon]

A well written rhyme with a meaningful story to tell about fear and loosing; much of which I agree with. But after many scares, broken dreams, and 100 MPH, 1/4 mile, cars I came to a conclusion. If I wanted to live long enough to bounce my grandkids on my knees and show them the scares that I already had, I'd better buy a Honda Civic, (Beep, Beep!), and learn to fabricate tall tales. LOL --- Well done, Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you JE I don’t know what it is it makes men want to Tempt fate? I just know that it feels better to try and failed and it does do not try at all

[JE Falcon]

Ah, Captain Ahab would truly understand you point of view. :)

[Tate Morgan]

We get one chance in life to make a difference. And don’t we all want to do just that

[Rainee Whiting]

I absolutely love this one... Sigh....


"A life spent cowering from pain

will leave you so aching inside

The gift you'd miss, from life's sweet kiss

knowing you never even tried."

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Rainee nice to see you again

[Einstein Noodle]

hear hear!!! lets down one for the risk takers ;) well said as always Tate! rock solid form and style with life's golden lessons to boot! we all have our scars and love to tell the tales ... one of my grandsons pointed out one on me belly and asked the fantastic question that begged my story .. i told him i got it fighting natives in the islands .... he is only 4 yrs old but saw right thru me ;) enjoyed reading as always Tate!
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Gene.lol so you couldnt fool him huh ? I once told little Drake that the pic of me in a cowboy outfit was a card game. Where i had to shoot off a guys toe for cheating. But I had looked at him and said The guy had 9 others as I shrugged my shoulders he laughed. His grandfather and great grandfather were world war 1 and 2 survivors .He knew everything about them. He had their helmets and a defused grenade from the war. He on the other hand stuck the picture in his room and I heard him extolling that tale to his 7yr old friends. As he then lined up his friends had them playing army. He was their general.he told them."en If I have to sacrifice one of you SOB's to protect the rest I wont hesitate to do so. LOL

[Einstein Noodle]

simply great stuff of life ... shot his toe clean off eh!? :)))))

[Tate Morgan]

Ha ha yeah his eyes got wide and ohh he says lol

[Katie Lynn]

This is very beautiful, Tate! I really loved it. Reading works like this make me want to go out and do incredible things with my life, if only to be able to tell the stories to my own children some day. Thank you for this excellent piece!

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Katie I thank you for this. It is a truism that we can not deny Life is a one shot pony.Dare the fates tempt the odds live or get off the ride!

[Barbz]

Dare to Live, not only my Mantra....My favorite Song! Really enjoyed this piece...Barbz

[Tate Morgan]

MANY THANKS bARB

[Matching Socks]

Excellent poetry Tate, such great advice for the little tater tot.
Good to read you again.

[Tate Morgan]

Ana Hi thank you so nice to see you here

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome, thank you Tate. I'm glad to be back here.

[Tate Morgan]

i am glad you are too. It is always a pleasure to have you here

[Matching Socks]

Thank you, I appreciate that so much.

[melissa]

This is amazing poem tate Keep up the great work and keep them coming

[Tate Morgan]

thank you melissa

[melissa]

You're welcome