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.

[Kimberly "Melody" Carne..]

Love it!

[Tate Morgan]

thank you Mel

[.]

~ i relate to this poem a lot... and all the beautiful sentiments you expressed in it poetically... ~ i have a nephew who is like a son to me... ~ we share movies and music... and i don't have a knife but all my words belong to him... i hope that they (my words) are there for him... and talk to him as i would... after i die...

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you drake is the son of a woman i dated a few years back before we broke up and i met and married my wife Rebecca. Becky and I have always allowed drake into our lives .That because he loves me and seems to need and want the relationship. I had promised to always be there for him and will not break that promise.However Even if i hadn't promised I would be there .That because i love him like my own and he me.

[.]

~ i pray that your bond is as beautiful forever... :)

[EMMIE]

Very cute boy and beautiful painting. This poem is a story in itself very engaging and well written

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Emmie So nice to see you tonight I hope all is well with you What a great picture you have up .Thank you for commenting on Drakes poem

[EMMIE]

No prob

[Epipsychologist]

Interesting that a knife should be an instrument of bonding rather than severing. excellent write Tate. Also, a knife is a cool family heirloom.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi friend So nice to hear from you. A knife in this case did something wonderful.

[Priscilla Sayers]

Touched my heart, filled my eyes with moisture threatening to over flow. You are so special in every way, and through such a child as Blake, He is a blessing to you as you have shown, in turn you are a blessing to him, the act, "Father to Son" He surely had known.... For Children see beyond what we may, and he knew your heart, knows it's truth. My dear Tater Tot, Goodness shines so brightly in you!
Much Love my dear friend! I LOVE THIS!!!

[Tate Morgan]

thank you love

[Priscilla Sayers]

Thinking of you all the time! That purity within your heart that has never been tainted. I see you, Understand you and your such a bright energy, full of so much compassion, so much Love that you have such a solid place in my heart my dear Tater Tot....
Always,
P

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you And you in mine as well

[Priscilla Sayers]

XOXO

[Missy Lorraine]

I have read many stories about a father passing a knife on to his son, some better than others. This one is much more than all the others. First of all, it is in the form of a poem, which I had never before seen. Secondly, I can see that it comes from the heart. The fact that it is a true event only adds to the story. Usually, writers put more into their stories and poems if it is something they have experienced first hand. I also love the symbolism of the knife...To be completely, brutally honest, I absolutely love it. There is nothing that I would change, but don't only take my word for it.

[Mark]

I still remember the day my Grandpa gave me my first--and LAST!-- pocketknife--this inch-and-a-half-long scar on my right thumb helps me to remember, you see! Another reviewer pointed out that "a woman cannot teach a boy how to be a man", and that is the truest truth here: you, in striving to fill the holes in this kid's raising, fill not only his, but yours as well. Whomsoever the woman in question is, whether she chooses you to be her mate or not, I hope you show her these reviews, and she is contrite enough to reverse this selfish and short-sighted decision, for her son's sake, if not for her own, or yours.
Did you notice that ALL the guys who reviewed this INSTANTLY knew that this poem isn't really about a knife at all, but about a boy's need to feel important in another male's eyes?

[Tate Morgan]

It is exactly that isn't it .Wanting the approval and love of a man whom he looks up to.

[Tate Morgan]

I wouldn't count on his mother understanding.if her actions of late ore any indication. I wish she would. I can tell you Drake like all boys longs for that acceptance.

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

I'd say that this is one of you best, but you have so many

[Tate Morgan]

thank you so much