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

[barleygirl]

This is a brilliant poem, accompanied by an equally brilliant share of your heritage. Coming from a hopelessly broken family, I find your presentation to be a lesson about how it looks & feels to be in a family that's very connected . . . even tho some of your moments may seem to be described as strife, to me it looks like loving connections becuz people at least cared, instead of being completely disengaged. Your rhyme & rhythm are flawless, and there's a tone of affection thru-out (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Margie I had a strange life. But I took my lessons as they came.

[Melinda McQueen]

What a lovely write of your memories.
Nicely done.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Melinda nice of you to say

[Chris]

Good heartfelt thoughts recognized and shared. Hi Tate, hope all is going well for you and yours.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Chris nice to see you today. Thank you I often wonder if my sharing of family thoughts is a bit much for some?

[Chris]

I think it gives an example to those in need of paths to choose.

[Tate Morgan]

That would be a good thing I wish sometimes i had been born wise and didnt have to earn it through pain

[Chris]

Don't we all...

[Patricia]

OMG made me cry. Took me back to my father and son's death. This is truly touching, I haven't been able to write about either of their deaths, not that brave or strong. You did it with both strength and bravery and added beauty

[Tate Morgan]

Awe Pat thank you I truly worried that my family would take offense to this right. Taking it too personal to be shared. But I believe we need to share the story they are what make us human thank you

[Patricia]

you know that's why it made me so sad, every relationship has issues and when they are left open it's very hard to move on. I made peace with my father and was so glad i got the chance to be a daughter again. With my son that is just too young of a wound for me to even discuss. I completely understand your concerns but your poetry is your heart and you can't deny it.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Getting older makes us think about the errors of our youth and the pain we may have inadvertently caused others in our haste or pride. A good write with an honest ring to it Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Fabian you are righ we think more about it as we age and these moments like deaths mark our path through life thank you friend

[apennylate]

*Welcome to "Pure Rhymes" Thanks for joining, great to have you...!*

A respectfully done tribute to those around who make us better people... Your G-pa sounded like a very wise man... Best to tread after greats... Not fakes..

[Tate Morgan]

thank you so much He was a great man

[apennylate]

A most warm welcome, and I have no doubt after reading such an exemplary poem...

[Tate Morgan]

many thanks so honored you liked it

[Tomás Ó C..]

Great tribute to your dad... and your granddad!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Thomas I have missed you of late

[Tomás Ó Cárthaigh]

I be around, but not often on here!

[Tate Morgan]

Same here I haven't been round much of late

[Ghania]

He looked at me, said " listen son

life seldom goes as we planned"


Wow! Truly Amazing!
And....Loved reading the author's note!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you for the kindness

[Ghania]

You're welcome.