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

[David Lewis Paget]

That is so very moving, Tate. Almost brought tears to my eyes - (should I even admit that here????) Great poem from a man with a big heart,
Tate.

[Sirius King]

Son you can't live your life afraid

of each danger that comes your way

Play the odds, and tempt the damn gods

rise up and face each new born day



this is the kind of advice i wish i had growing up...
but i will surely pass on to my son one day
thanx for sharing this great piece!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Tate , a very sensitive and moving poem with a beautiful bit of advice to a son who is much loved. You set out your experiences and the scars that you survived very well. My only disappointment was it did not give any examples of the positive experiences you had had?

[sharonlee]

Moving piece Tate....
This passage -
Son you can't live your life afraid

of each danger that comes your way

Play the odds, and tempt the damn gods

rise up and face each new born day

- is comparable in wisdom to Rudyard Kipling's "If"

Penned with heart.

[An owl on the moon]

There is so much wisdom here... facing what life brings your way as well as learning from others who have walked a little further down the path... A blessing to have you sharing your life and love that is so rich and deep.

[Heather]

what a great live lesson to pass along to your son. I enjoyed reading this poem very much! I can see it being passed down from your son to his son.

[Mic]

Amen... scars are the prelude for the epitaph. Can't much be said afterwards, if nothing was worth telling before. Some of mine were lessons, others should have been.

You've told him true, Tate. Excellent verse!

[zainul]

Hi Tate,
Could you imagine that this poem might be included in school syllabi someday
to inspire people to face the reality of life?
I am overwhelmed by the meaning,lesson and beauty of this piece.
Great write.
Congrats!!!

[Valentine]

How true..to crawl; into a hole and not get out and exp[erience life is a complete waste..We all will get our knocks but also many sweet pleasures and memories to treasure..lol Kathhe

[Shelley Holt-Lowrey]

This is such a touching piece. Such truth here. Grab life and hang on. Don't go meekly into the night. What the heck for? We ride the ride but once. May as well have bitchen' scars to show for it. Great write Tate. (And - you'll note the title Princess does prompt me to act faster than any other ha!)