Do You Remember?

Daughter Aris and I

When you tuck your children in at night.

 Remember they are wealth beyond measure.

    No man on his dying bed ever said. "I wish I had

 worked more. Spent more time at the office. 

Made more money. Or stole from my friends."

    What they say is "I am sorry. Sorry for the

 weakness that drove my selfish life." Is their

 anything they wouldn't give for another day

, another minute, with those they have neglected?

So take the gifts that you have earned

then turn out surcease from despair

To reap the pearls others have learned

echoing childhood calls "be fair"

With pride deposed and passions slain

we hope, aspire and then on trust

Beneath vaulted skies we attain

to master life before we're dust

 

Author's Note

As a man I can say from a lifetime of experience. Nothing humbles you like a child. Consider the lives around you first. Always think of your own comforts last. This is the wisdom of the ages. The key to happiness and being remembered fondly by all.

Reviews

[mou]

I wonder how much weight is felt on a deathbed when the realization hit hard.
Especially this line has spoken to me for a long even after the read---

'...To reap the pearls others have learned
echoing childhood calls "be fair"...'

The poem is beautiful! I'm reading your words after a long, TM as I took a break from wc. That old magic is felt once again. Thank you
-mou

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I think about this more often now that I have a few more days ahead than I did behind

[A Soap Mess Stories]

An insightful poem. And so true. Children are our legacy. And they grow up so fast. I hope that we cherish the memories of childhood, our as well as those of our children.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi thank you. Through children, we are granted immortality as I tie my child to the past going back to antiquity. He takes me into the future, granting me immortality.

[Robert Trakofler]

I am still trying old friend... I think its a twenty four hour job but I am always trying:) You sent me a link on FB and for some reason I couldn't go to it so I had to come to this from a different browser I hope this was the right one:)

[Tate Morgan]

I dont remember However always nice to hear from you.Our friend David Lewis Paget passed away. Sadly i will miss him

[Tate Morgan]

I dont remember However always nice to hear from you.Our friend David Lewis Paget passed away. Sadly i will miss him

[Robert Trakofler]

Ironically I chatted with him not too long ago so I was quite surprised to hear about this! He lived such a rich life and shared so many wonderful words and stories and will be remembered

[Tate Morgan]

He helped me quite a bit. He was a great man flawed in many ways, but his talents outweighed his flaws.

[Betty Hermelee]

One must learn from others how to treasure life, each minute , each day….. we do learn the niceties from the young and innocent….. we must die, knowing that we have been satisfied with our lives and have been kind to others, appreciate people, ….hold those sweet memories, with hope: “ master life before dust”……excellent write!
Warmly, B

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you, Betty. I appreciate that.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Tate
Warmly, B.🌷

[Jerry Ables]

Excellent and thoughtful words, Tate. I enjoyed the read very much. Richest blessings to you and yours! :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Jerry

[Jerry Ables]

:) You're very welcome, Tate! :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I am a five time grandfather. I miss the noise in the house now. The grandchildren do visit almost daily. We learn too late. Children grow like weeds. Powerful and worthwhile poetry shared Tate. I hope you and the family are doing well and enjoying the days of Summer.
Coyote

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you coyote. The little ones they are just precious. I was drugged into adulthood kicking and screaming. The only thing that made it palatable at all was the ability to be looked upon by the younger generation as an elder, which meant they wanted to play, and I still play with them. We play ball, we trips I tell stories they laugh

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one Tate and you are welcome.

[msharma]

Beautiful draft to learn and grow. A life lesson for all.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Msharma i appreciate you stopping by. The old cafe is still around here and there

[LadyNaida]

Hello Tate,
It has been a very long time. I hope you and your family are well.
This a beautiful poem with a beautiful reminder of how precious our time is with our children because they grow up so quickly and then they leave.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Naida Poor is the man who doesn’t remember his childhood.

[Ted Kniffen]

And then we move on to grandchildren who keep us young an on our toes ... a lovely place to be.

A good thought Tate

[Tate Morgan]

I can live with that. Children are a lot of fun

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Is life's despair ever at a coda, other than death? All rivers run to the sea. Troubles widen like rivers born of tiny streams. But the innocence of youth does not contemplate mortality or morality. All is pure and immortal in the eyes of children and such are the moments and memories made in love. I enjoyed the read, my friend. Bless, F.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank Fabian children give us almost all of the joys. We truly feel in life.