The Blade

I know someday he'll cut himself as boys always seem to do Mixing his blood, with tears and mud to each owner it ever knew

Drake and I. Father son night at school.

My grandfather was a marine

who made us think he could spit nails

Forged in the war, baked to the core

a man honed from his life’s travails

From him came my own father

whom then worked sun up to sunset

Driving horses, on race courses

of a life I'll never forget

 

My grandfather had owned a knife

where it came from I'll never know

Held by this man, whose own life span

had never bent nor been laid low

He passed that knife to my father

who in turn then gave it to me

And through our blood, the dirt and mud

it had bound itself to all three

 

I met Drake when he was seven

a troubled, angry, lonesome, child

This wondrous brain, who hid his pain

in a heart that was brash and wild

He'd touched my soul in such a way

I couldn't help but feel his pain

So unafraid, I gave that blade

forging a link to my own chain

 

I know someday he'll cut himself

as boys always seem to do

Mixing his blood, in tears and mud

to each owner it ever knew

I wish I could have been Drake's dad

so sad that I wasn't the one

I hoped he'd see, this gift from me

was meant from a father to son

Author's Note

Drake and I have had a bond that was as strong as any father and child. I passed my knife onto Drake because he would appreciate it. I had hoped whenever he held it he would think of the bond between us.

Reviews

[Veronica Chandler]

This moving piece reminds me of just how profound an impact we have on the lives of one another; truly there is no measure sufficient to judge how a small and simple gesture can and does change the very fabric of people. Something which may seem a kind and moving gesture, may in the end, turn out to change the very course of a persons life. That simple act can grow exponentially and reach far beyond our wildest imaginings. Even our highest hopes for someone could easily be surpassed by the actual good, in the end created by a simple, thoughtful act of kindness. Those that came before us blazed the trail and made the way clearer for all those to come afterwards. I doubt your grandfather could have imagined how his legacy touched the life of someone he would never know.

""Every boy that has a father missing from his life, has a hole inside his soul the size and shape of his father. The mother can raise a good citizen, an educated man with good ethics and values, but he will always have that hole inside his soul; the size and shape of his father."
~Oprah~

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Veronica.It didn't go unnoticed by me that Oprah agrees with Mark Ric and I. Happiness is a joyous child.

[Helen Crutchett]

I will take this in vein it is written. It is a soulful peace of writing, deep and obviously it's a man/boy bonding tradition. It is a 'man' thing. Women wouldn't even entertain doing something like that. Shows you how different women and men are.

Having said that, I repeat I respect you for your views, I can never look at the pain in your heart, but you have the brilliant knack of revealing it by your golden pen.

Beautiful portrait!

Love and Light
Helena

[Tate Morgan]

You know your toleration of me is one reason I love you so

[Helen Crutchett]

Tolerate? What's there to tolerate about you. Take care Tatertot.

Love Helena

[Tate Morgan]

I so miss you Helena

[Clayton Bardwell]

This one got me. I carried a Randall knife for 40 years behind the badge and gun. Feels naked without it. I'm looking at it now sitting upon my roll top desk. Even though I make my own knives now, the Randall holds a special place for me.

[Tate Morgan]

Clayton This one made me cry to write it .And they were tears of joy for the boy who impressed me more than any other and deserved much better than I could ever give him .Yet All he wanted was my love which I melted down and poured upon his soul daily.

[Tate Morgan]

thanks clayton

[Siddhartha]

What a wonderfully exquisite poem. A son in spirit if not in blood - and of the deep affection that binds two disparate hearts in time. Thanks for sharing.

[Tate Morgan]

I cant tell if drake will ever read this poem But i think he will and I hope he does. He was my son every bit as much as my own Tate Thank you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there is so much meaning to handing something down generation to generation, and you have done that...not only the blade, but the love too.
wonderful piece of writing, Tate.

so much heart.

[Tate Morgan]

I hold tight to this Winchester my son gave me last Christmas. I take it everywhere .When i get done on this earth I will pass my essence and memories to him in the place of a knife loved

[Tate Morgan]

jacob you are a deep soul thank you

[Kaylor Mason]

Not many things are as important to us guys as our knives . . . that's something mothers and grandmothers just don't get. But, thank Heavens--fathers understand it :)

[Tate Morgan]

The knife stood for the collective memories both shared and alone that they shared through life. It is continuity of pain

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you kailer

[Valentine]

Tate love the story and the drawing..are you still in contact with Drake? If not you should be..as some things are meant to be forever..like this kinship..Good write..Kathie

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Kathy .No sadly I am not. His mother doesn't want us seeing each other at the moment. Evidently she is having troubles with him

[Tate Morgan]

kathy i love your thoughts

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A very touching piece. My own dad was a WWII veteran. He was in the navy in the 5th Beach Batallion, trained with the Amphibious Forces and deployed in the Pacific theatre. He fought in invasions of Kwajalein, Guam, Peleliu, Leyte Island, the Phillipines and Iwo Jima. He was my hero. I gave my daughter one of his knives. This was great to read.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Fabian Such a true gentleman.

[Rain]

I'm a very uncomplicated Reviewer. If it makes me "feel" I like it. This Piece sure in the hell did that. Great work!!

[Tate Morgan]

Ray I so rarely get to hear from you it is a treat. You are always welcome.Like you It has to move me to get my vote.Thank You

[Tate Morgan]

Hio man so nice to hear from you Hope you are better nowadays

[Blue Belle]

That is so sweet.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you for reviewing this