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

[Coyote Poetry]

I learn from raising my four kids. We need to spend time with kids. I spend more quality time with Grand boys then my kids. I learn time wait for no-one. Thank you for the amazing photo and wisdom in the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I have spent all my free time with tate growing up It makes it very hard to let go

[Frieda P]

Bittersweet, a little heartbreak on this page, I know this feeling well, we strive to make them independent, then when it comes time for them to spread their wings, we long for the days they were at our knee, lovely read Tate, love the music too....

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I am having trouble with it

[lee von cleef]

to trip and fall, to see the fear swell, and then watch him reach for a "Tool" to survive, stop the horse , circle him right , think that way as you do,don't the two of you "Freeze together" get his legs moving, and his mind will follow, respect a thousand pounds for you are but one hundred and twenty,Handlers make horses and Fathers make men.Reflections of each other. Yours will do fine.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you. I am sure he will do well. It is me that needs to grow. I was wrestling him the other day.After five minutes i said"Ok that's enough" He says to me "Is that all you got old man" lol We both laughed our asses off. "Yeah I said. That's all I got." Oh man I grabbed hold of him and he was like a rock. he plays basketball and baseball and lifts weights all the time. He drinks that terrible tasting whey protein crap. I fed my horses better than that LOL Damn its a b***h to get old.

[junaid altaf]

you earn to be a father!
thats all i can say.............

[Tate Morgan]

Junaid Thank you ,Being a father has been the most rewarding experience of my life. May I not outlive any of my children.

[junaid altaf]

yes i m also looking forward to the same feeling.....
no, u can never do that.............

[Tate Morgan]

it is the worst cuse to be forced to outlive a child I cannot imagine the unrelenting pain

[junaid altaf]

i think u should deviate your mind from such thinking

[Tate Morgan]

I agree My son in law killed himself a year ago and i had to watch that pain on his fathers face i dont ever want to meet it myself

[junaid altaf]

this is the problem with us poets we are too sensitive with issues, but thats what makes us good and intellectual thinkers and in turn poets.... i think u should realise the fact that your son will follow not fully but yes to an influencive extent the traits of your thinking.................

[Tate Morgan]

He is much likeme and often even more kind. I find i have to be careful where my shadow casts as he is always watching me

[junaid altaf]

about me i have been analysing my fathers behaviour and what i find is that i resemble a lot with that behaviour and the ideology my father possesses, i possess too but with a much better analysing and reasoning ability...an improved version of my father!

[Tate Morgan]

yeah me too and therein proves evolution. and its purpose

[junaid altaf]

we can even say the world is becoming tougher and thus tough people are born....hahahahaha

[Tate Morgan]

well we seem to adapt or so it seems better than any other species

[junaid altaf]

adaptation is the key to survival...and humans can adapt to anything only if they believe

[Tate Morgan]

the will to live is strong in humans

[junaid altaf]

and thats what makes life worth living

[Tate Morgan]

That is why i do not believe we will be reborn on an earth where everything will be provided By giving us everything they take away all our reasons for living

[junaid altaf]

a vivid concept and analysation

[Tate Morgan]

hardship builds character look at our children provided everything over weight they sit in front of a screen and text all day buit they could never compete with the generation before them whose worst fear was that they might have to come inside

[KisuKimmi]

This is an amazing poem, I love the message.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much very sweet of you to say .

[Ellen Hammond]

Beautiful, heartwarming, poem! It can be hard to let go but knowing you have instilled great values and lessons in him will make it a bit easier. Thanks for sharing this tender, personal poem. I really enjoyed it.

[Tate Morgan]

Ellen So nice to hear from you today. I thank you . I try my best to do what is right by him

[Dhaye]

Oh..I love this, Tate. You're such a wonderful father. Your heart is seen in this piece.

Thanks for sharing this.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much .I have always taken great pride in the attentions I have given in puruit of fatherhood Both to my own and any who needed on e .

[Phibby Venable]

This is so amazingly beautiful, Tate. What a wonderful relationship and words describing it! xx

[Tate Morgan]

Phibby Hi dear I hope you are well and the world is treating you well.May we all learn to be gracious when the time comes to give up what we are blessed with. Thank you

[Phibby Venable]

yes, it was so heart when my daughter went away to college. wishing u love and peace as he continues to do all the amazing things u taught him.