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

[Dwayne J. Keeves]

I truly enjoyed your piece. It's great to read such adventures of others life.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dwayne I appreciate that

[Dwayne J. Keeves]

Indeed, Sir

[writ rajat]

very nicely written and well expressed got enthralled for full reading

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you writ

[MysteriousAries]

Amazing story-telling... Your works are gems... I am becoming a fan...

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much feel free to peruse to your hearts content

[ron]

This is so very true. I've missed your writings. I've been away for a while.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Ron there is poetic beauty in the shared experience of. Growing up

[biggerthenu]

Great wtite! Very true to heart. Thanks for sharing

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much

[Mr.Writer]

This is very beautiful...
How so delicately written...
Amazing...

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it is always with regret that we learn empathy for others

[Mr.Writer]

Yep, that's true

[Richard McLin]

Beautiful. That's all I can really say. This is a fantastic piece. A fitting tribute to someone who meant a great deal to you, and you shared that with everyone is the best possible way.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I appreciate that my father seemed to like the time I told him what his father said

[Kenneth The Poet]

I've always liked your work, Tate. Your odes to life and the plights and triumphs of others has had me coming back again and again. I will always consider you a stellar poet in standing with the all-time greats. I wish you the best.

[Tate Morgan]

Ken I'm so honored to hear such a thing for to me I am nothing but a Humble poet it really touches me that my works actually can reach out mean something to another thank you so much

[Kenneth The Poet]

You are quite welcome.

[An owl on the moon]

Your words so tenderly move the heart, create a vast pool of thankfulness, as well as a place of reflection and beautiful pain. This journey of life is a magnificent race for us all, and you find vivid strokes of color in every contemplation.

[Tate Morgan]

Craig forgive me if I'mA little loopy tonight I had major shoulder surgery yesterday and find myself out of sorts way out thank you sir

[An owl on the moon]

Oh my friend, may you find comfort now, and peace, and a deep rest for you, body and mind.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank u i've had many injuries to my shoulders over the years racing horses at this time simple slip on the ice and I tore the ligaments pretty bad tore the muscle to had to go inside and stitch it back together for the average the limit of what I can tolerate I'm no longer young

[Cameron Berry]

This was a well-penned and touching peace. It retained well its personal touch and connection to me as I read it. I sense a lot of love here.

[Tate Morgan]

Cameron thank you .It is always the thing we rail against but inside we know we are really our fathers sons.