To Be A Man

The well spent life will always beckon from the winds of change a call for home.

sage wisdom

"The value of a man lies not in what he owns but in what he gives to others."

On humble fare though he may dine 

soft light of a candles flame

Walks with a sense of purpose and time

upon his soul there is no claim

A man treads light on honest poverty

no coward nor gentleman's slave

Gives his love to the poor of heart

stands fast in the face of the grave

Bearing for her life's burdens

soothes the children of their tears

Is the rock all others break upon

leaves fond memory of his years

He knows the value of free will

as honesty will rule his heart

Owns pride born of forgiveness

to the fallen grants a new start

Give the fools their silk and wine

their dishonest pretense of gentry

Only welcome of a good mans door

will permit a monarchs entry

He knows this, as his fellows do

from every  field and station

One need not be a worshiped lord

to be master of God's creation

 

Author's Note

As in the times of the ancient mariner we all hear the call of sirens that gesture us to sail home. Continuity of purpose flows from the wellspring of our lives. In the end we all find we are drawn inexorably home, to the hearth from around which we told our tales of long ago and spun our yarns of a life well lived. The well spent life will always beckon from the winds of change a call for home.

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

Wolfe said, "You can't go home again." But he was from Asheville so what does he know? (laughing) Wolfe would be stunned by the Asheville of today with its avant garde artist community personification or façade. This has wonderful wisdom and traditional values mixed in the verse. I don't care to go back since everything I need to be is where I'm at. And I'm more than good with that. But it's always good to revisit the past in memories and old photo albums.

[Tate Morgan]

I so agree. We have those memories and we treasure them. They are the building blocks upon which we have constructed our lives. Hopefully we have passed those on to our children and while they can’t have the memories that we have they’ll build new ones. Odd thing, though when my father died, I realized That I was forever cut off from everyone. He knew that I was too young to have met. His death cut me off from my past.

[Kaylor Mason]

Our nation is definitely missing something today, something we have lost . . . but I cannot identify it accurately.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Tate,

thou has scrawled by quill to page a most majestic and inspiring piece of poetry that speaks to the hearts all who remain Patriots and defenders of America first and foremost before they are Republican or Democrat ... Somewhere along the way our nation's path was slyly diverted and perverted, for we were never meant to be a nation that bases its existence upon party lines, politics and fad of the day ideologies only, but of people, we the people, united as one nation of people striving, not against one another, but in unison of pulling together, thus, rendering the future of our nation never about who won which and what election, but upon reflection upon where we came from, where, from here, we are going, and how best to get there for the good of all Americans, and for the good of the world at large, a world that has never asked us to police its problems, but to be a true, loyal and trustworthy ally and friend in time of need, as an honor well worth the holding and standing for, especially in adversity and times of trouble ... I am neither Republican nor Democrat, but struggle to maintain a position as a Moderate in a world that demands that we each align ourselves wither to the right of extremes, or to the left, and then wonders why human beings commit such heinous acts of extremism after we have taught and given them the precedent's example of being extremists ourselves ... That shared, we live in a day and age when Party has become more important than leadership, more important than integrity, more important than character ... It is time to return to those three basic necessities required of any strong and admirable leader, examples set by men like John F. Kennedy & Robert F. Kennedy ... We must begin harvesting leaders and depart from harvesting and reaping mere politicians ... Excellent poem by the way ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I try to pass along happiness goodness I blame social media for the fighting I closed Facebook 2 yrs ago don’t miss it a bit

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

Tate,

I agree, Social Media is steering the American people like cattle, as is the News Media, and as for Elephants & Donkeys, they have become simply different faces at a costume ball where each is an opposing cartel, but all have become criminals raping America for the sake of maintaining their power, position, and feeding their ever bulging pocketbooks ... Just my take on things ... It is my opinion that we are all Sheeple-People Cattle, fed-n-bred, watered-n-foddered, fleeced-n-sheared, and mentally conditioned to stand numb-n-dumb upon the slaughter house killing floors of just war more war to end all wars with no end of war in sight ...

[Tate Morgan]

In my 63 yrs I’ve only known 3 without war. Endless war

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

Well, if true, my friend, those 3 years were simply sly prep for the next war, and sadly so ... I am a fan of the Human Race ... John Lennon said it best: Give Peace A Chance ...

[M. J. Smith]

As a drifter, I owned only what I could carry on my back and on my bicycle. I learned to take only what I needed and became content. This stirs the wanderlust for those days. Wonderful words.

[Tate Morgan]

I spent much of my life drifting wandering searching outadventure

[Unspoken poet]

WOW!! This one is totally amazing, such a wonderful write

[Tate Morgan]

I’m honored really thank you

[Eddie Phillips]

Give the fools their silk and wine
their dishonest pretense of gentry
Only welcome of a good mans door
will permit a monarchs entry

Such a great poem Tate. I have been gone for a while but I am so happy you are still writing and blessing us with your heart.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Eddie I haven’t been on much of late because I started a new job but I probably will get back on

[Amber Stone]

Thank you Sir, for your tender but scathing, elegant and timely literary style, and for keeping such a personal literary stamp, the hallmark of a gentleman. And for the lesson. My bow and whole respect. Thank U Sir, for sharing it.

[Tate Morgan]

I lay my pen and reference up on the ground beside your feet thank you

[M Garcia]

Very nice poem. Thank you for sharing.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I appreciate that. I’m kinda fond of Bernie

[Mari' Emeraude]

A lovely poem that made me see all facets of the main character.

[Tate Morgan]

Well thank you Mari I appreciate that