Days That I Have Known

Tatertot

The days of life are winding down

as I but fear what lies ahead

My son has reached that time in life

that always filled my mind with dread

There's just a year until that day

when I just hope that I may grow

To be the man, I pray I can

as the time comes to let him go

This week we go on vacation

and as we share these times of  joy

Within the bonds of family

he'll spend his last days as a boy

I've done what I set out to do

back so many a year ago

 Instilling in him foundations

of all the things he needs to know

Oh please just let me be gracious

and smile when the day draws near

Then wish him well, as time will tell

if I can overcome my fear

For then my son will be a man

with strength to face the new found dawn

In knowledge that he's not alone

as my heart breaks for all that's gone

Author's Note

I knew this this day would come. It is so near I can taste it. I will walk out to see him off with a smile upon my face. Give him the speech I like to call "what it means to be a man". Tell him to trust his instincts. Never take something for nothing. Never take unfair advantage of another nor let them take unfair advantage of him. Help those who need it and respect all the women in his life. "Son the value of a man lies not in what he owns, but in what he gives to others". Then I'll wave as he sets off, as my heart simply breaks.

Reviews

[Veronica Chandler]

Warmth and tenderness wash over me in waves as I read this moving piece penned straight from your heart. The values you ask of your son as he sets sail on the winds of life are embedded in his DNA, for he is your son and has learned by watching you embody those values. It will take practice, like riding a bike for the first time takes practice and little bit of blood, but his foundation is strong. May his compass always guide him to a true north, so that he always knows where home is, the place he can always return to, and be fully embraced. Yes, your heart will break, it will never be the same again, but the wonders of watching him live out his life are well worth the pain.

[Tate Morgan]

I thank you very much I am trying my best

[sweta'karman']

Your poems make every relation special and blessed. Your words are the carvings of your own heart and the reflection stays in the heart of the people you want to connect with...Great work Tate.

[Becky C Strukamp]

A poem only a father could share of his son, the joys of watching him grow to be a man, the nurturing of his body, soul and mind. Your love for your son shines bright here my dear friend. What a fortunate boy/young man to have you as his father. The pictures as always are delightful, to view parts of your life and that of your son as you both grow with each other in life. What more can a father give to his son then the lessons he has learned and love. It shows how much you love your family. It comes through in each of your poems. This poem like your others touches my heart strings and my soul. Thank you Tate for sharing your inner most thoughts as your family matures. I feel my life is enriched as I read. Your poems guide me to sentiments of my own family in hopes that I have shared with them important lessons in life that they might flourish in life as decent men. I feel your pain of letting go, hoping to be gracious and set your son free to be be the best man he can be. This is a touching tribute from a father to his son. It is an awakening of letting go and hopes you've laid a foundation in which your son will build upon. Excellent poem Tate. I enjoyed it greatly.

[Tate Morgan]

Ah Becky my favorite Author So nice to see you today,It is with great pleasure that i share this work with you.Thank you

[Becky C Strukamp]

You are so welcome my dear friend!

[Sunil Sharma]

Very moving and vivid portrayal of a father's tender feelings for a son---universal in its appeal. Well done, Tate!

[Tate Morgan]

Sunil Thank you sir.I suppose all of us who are fathers know this feeling or will in days to come. So I wish you all well and hope it is a good day when it happens.

[Sunil Sharma]

My son is in Aarhus, Denmark. Know the sinking feeling, longings and love for child going away...shared this on the FB also---a gem of a poem!

[Seashell]

where's he going ? Not the moon I hope. He'll be growing in to that very man you want him to be in front of your eyes at the moment, not on a specific day.
You give him good advice and hope and pray he takes heed. You can do no more and no less. We all want to hold on to them like for ever, and we do, in our hearts. We are there for them till the end. A beautiful piece here Tate
Thanks for sharing your fear
Babs x

[Tate Morgan]

Hi babs He will be off to college and i don't know after that. i am so use to having him around. I hope I learn to cope with his departure.

[Seashell]

course you will.... we all have to whether we want to or not... It's lovely experiencing all the stages in our childrens lives and from this we learn and grow and prepare for the next stage pending :-)

[Dennis]

This is a beautiful and thoughtful poem of an evolving relationship between a child/young adult and the parent. It is not easy to let go but as you know it is quite necessary and if you have prepared well for this eventual day to come you will have made the transition easier. Well written and meaningful poem, thanks for sharing.

[Tate Morgan]

Dennis So nice to see you . I will hope for a little enlightenment and wisdom.Mixed in with that i will try to grow a bit myself for his sake.Thank you

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

As fledgling birds, parents care for their young...cradle them, care for them, feed them and keep them safe. All in the knowing that one day they must be allowed to leave the nest and test their wings so that they too may continue the cycle. I have no doubt that your "what it means to be a man" speech will be life chaning...more boys should be given this speech. Beautifully touching, as always.

[Tate Morgan]

I will let him go and help him to do so . Then I will live with it.it is what needs to be done.

[Tate Morgan]

Just beautful my friend, for I adore it to see a new write of you! wonderful, this is truly heartfelt, touching, I remember this song too... good memories... most precious, for a parent to let one go, for the road of life... this one touched me, for you're such a good dad! :) heartsmiles friend :) "Tatertot" should be blessed... with someone like you around! :) Thank you for sharing Tate!

- Elisa

[Tate Morgan]

Elisa I imagine Tatertot and I will go to lunch that day. He and I went to see a movie the other day.He has become what I dreamed of. He tells me everything. spends time with me because he enjoys it. That is what I dreamed of .

Isn't that the most beautiful gift? wow... I imagine the two of you so vividly, It's such a good thing to have such a bond with him... beautiful :)

[Tate Morgan]

I thank you

And I thank you for this touching piece Tate! One Love :)

[David Scott]

Your heart is bled onto this page Tate. A write any father should read.
Like most things in life though, our sons do not become men on a day or on a moment. Also the man he becomes will still need his fathers wisdom and love to refine the steel he entered manhood with.
Be at peace my friend. You only need give him your love each day as I know you do.
A very wonderful expression of loving concern.