Treading in the Steps of the Greats

"Good Night Dad"

Grandpa Ed and My Father Eddie Jr.

Looking back to my eighteenth year

sitting with gramps in the grandstand

He looked at me, said " listen son

life seldom goes as we planned"

"See your father out on the track

coming 'round in the post parade

You should be proud of him you know

for all the dues that he has paid"

"If you'd said fifteen years ago

that he was the cream of the crop

I'd beat you down, there on the ground

leaving your a*s on the blacktop"

"Not many get knocked down in life

then rise to the top of the hill

As life exacts a price you see

from those willing to pay that bill"

Years later we stood by his grave

my father, my brothers and I

Gramps hadn't shared this forgiveness

before he had to say goodbye

I passed that story to my dad

whose eyes said he understood

For as a man, it was my plan

to help ease his pain if I could

Then when my own father passed

I stood there holding his ashes

About to pour, across the floor

of the track that saw our clashes

In that one defining moment

I whispered a prayer to the Fates

"Please forgive the sins of my youth

"

treading in the steps of the Greats

Author's Note

When my father was young he gave my grandfather bloody fits. I know how he regretted it later. As he was so hard on me for fear that I too would take that road. He said to me "Son you scare me to death. Of all my children you are the one that keeps me up at night. I see myself in you and it scares me. Just because you are fearless doesn't mean you are immortal." I came to find he was right. I do not know what drives young men to temp the will of unkind fates. However I lived to tell the tales and my son now is doing the same to me. So there is justice. Last month he came home on a motorcycle to tell me he was tired of just existing and wanted to live a little. He wants to have adventures as I have had. God is paying me back for the sleepless nights I dealt my own father.
When my own father passed a year ago we poured his ashes across the race track where his life began and his race ended. Miss ya dad!

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Brilliant writing and poignant backstory told in your Author’s Note. Such a raw and personal family chronicle...the volatile give and take from fathers to sons, relived...Perfection in form, flow, cadence, rhyme, imagery, allegory. Superb, nostalgic family picture. You are a wise man. Thank you so much for the excellent poetic invitation to share your life. Bravo!

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Annette thank you so much Nice to see you today

[LadyNaida]

Hi Tate,
Its been a while since I been here and read one of your poems. Thank you for sharing the story of your gramps and your dad.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Nadia thank you we are all subject For the simple reality that we are a result of where we come from

[LadyNaida]

welcome! Welcone! 😊

[Temperance]

Such a great tribute to the male lineage of your family. I suppose every family had that one child who needed to sow their oats more than the others causing the parents sleepless nights, anxiety and stress. This poem is so nicely penned and I enjoyed the read. Thank you! Temp

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Temp life goes round and round

[Temperance]

You’re welcome and, yes, it does.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

A beautifully loving and wonderful tribute and Memorial to, both your Dad and your Grandfather ...

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Marve my father was hellion as was I as was his father

[Chris Shaw]

Good to come back here for a second read Tate. Can't help thinking that some kids are a real challenge for their parents and that is the way it has always been and always likely to be. Hope you and yours are well.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Chris thank you. We regret it later

[M Garcia]

Great work. I really enjoyed it. It was enhanced with the music. Keep it going.

[Tate Morgan]

Many thanks m Garcia

[M. J. Smith]

I didn't grow up with a father to worry like that. And in the town I grew up in, well, I had to know if there was anything beyond it. So, in my early twenties, I loaded my pack, climbed on a bike and spent the next year touring the Ozark hills. Odd jobs, shelters, campgrounds. I lived hard but free. But man, I would have killed to have a father. I envy you.

[Tate Morgan]

My family got divorced when I was about seven my mother raised me but when I hit 18 I did as you did I struck out to the racetrack to find my father. I spent 12 years doing just that. There is something in a boy that makes him long for a father I don’t know what it is but I sure had it too I’ve done my best over the years to be a father to my own children and any strays I could find

[M. J. Smith]

In 1991, The Drifter was born. Father dead, gone and no contact possible. What was left was to find myself. Who was M. J. Smith? A year on the road, time spent at college, marriage, fatherhood... In the end, my heart belongs to those solitary places where Nature reigns supreme. But unlike my dad, I'm a father first. Like you, I strive to be the best parent I can be. The Drifter makes his own way in life. And he's a better man for it. Well, anyway, thank you for the glimpse into your past. You seem like a really wise and wonderful man.

[Tate Morgan]

I spent my youngest years in my 20s just raising hell For some reason when I got close to 30 my mind told me it was time to get married and have a child. I wanted a child of my own so that I wouldn’t be alone in my old age

[Unspoken poet]

WOW, Such a tribute here, so powerful and enjoyed your imagery. Love the music choice for this as well, So very well written. emotional read

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Kay t I find this very poignant today on my 61st birthday. The world keeps turning and I keep learning

[Unspoken poet]

Today is my Birthday. And not a problem, i think we all keep learning every day and the world will never stop turning.

[Tate Morgan]

Are you serious? That’s a coincidence. Born under a Lucky star like me

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

What a wonderful
tribute I've missed reading
your work.


I have been
going through a lot of
painful Issues with my family
so I am not on as much but
I hope all is well with you
and your family.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Benita sorry about the family drama.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

You're welcome and thank you
my friend have a blessed evening

[Seyi Ojenike]

one word "Nostalgic". it takes one into your background through your eyes.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Seyi yes I write if things I have lived through. I try to pass the lessons I learned on to others

[Chris Shaw]

Some young men have an inclination to push the boundaries as far as they can. For a parent that can be really scary, a constant worry that they might press the self destruct button. Thinking here about my own family circumstances Tate. I can relate.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

Can’t we all relate to this? It seems such a trait of human nature thank you