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

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing tale my friend. I liked the photos. We are built by our elders to stand strong. Without good examples. What would we be? Thank you my friend for sharing your words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Coyote We learn dont we from them I mean At 18 we look at them and say god they are stupid By 30 we say I cant believe how much they have learned in the last 12 yrs By 40 we say I am so ashamed of the way i acted lol By 50 we have wisdom

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. I became a better Grandfather than father. I learn. Kids grow-up too quickly. I spend my free time with grandchildren. You are welcome my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

i am happy to know at this point your son is riding ;}}} .. yeh! we do get some pay back eh!? ... yes! forgiveness is divine ... wonderful tribute to your gramps ..nicely tied in to your poem for your dad ..you should put a link to it in your comments ..the poems are a fine pair says i! .. and "Like a rock" .. perfect .. i didn't get to know my gramps well ..we lived too far ..but i am glad to have known him at all ..and i sure miss my dad ..we also went thru some very bumpy times ..and his forgiveness is a boon to my peace and gratitude for him in his life .. nice one Tate!
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Gene My son is still riding and now has me doing the same I railed against his folly Till I got back on that bike and was whisked by to my twenties. For some existing is not enough I have to agree with him thank you

[Einstein Noodle]

stay safe young man ..keep the rubber on the road ... it is a wonderful habit .. wind in the hair and all!

[Tate Morgan]

Yeah sweet feeling

[Robert Haigh]

Personal poems always have that heartfelt element to them. All the better when the narrative can be read and enjoyed by strangers. A good write, and a good read.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Robert Always nice to meet new friends

[Jamestown]

Fantastic as always my friend:)
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Tate Morgan]

Jamestown i always get happy to see you. You are one good soul Thank you

[Katie Lynn]

This is a beautiful work of art, excellent job on this one!

[Tate Morgan]

Hi katie thank you I hope you are well

[MomzillaNC]

Beautiful! :D

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you momzilla I awoke with this fresh on my mind yesterday as with most of my works they are written in my dreams and seated in my memories

[MomzillaNC]

I’ve often been inspired by dreams too. Inspiration is such a mystery, sometimes… fragile and delicate… yet it comes on us like an overwhelming flood!

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Bloody wonderful writing. Such feelings so expertly expressed.

[Tate Morgan]

Why thank you clive So nice to hear from you today. It is strange how we all share the same things in life

[Miss Sharon]

Such a beautiful story, well written with kindness and love. THIS is poetry of the highest caliber in my estimation. Bravo Tate! ~Sharon

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Sharon I am honored so honored.
Your friend
Tate

[wordman]

and it`s a hard road to travel,i know my father and grand father worked very hard
and always got back up when life hit them hard,i am proud to be there son
as i know you are..touching write

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Ron. being a man ion many ways is a simple thing we are here to suffer lol

[wordman]

i certainly believe that tate,it`s what transforms you