Boyhood

Passing for gold in a little boy's heart, are the looks his father pays.

Beside patches of green grass meadow

golden wheat fields wave in the breeze

Beckoning out to all my fellows

come walk through me with ease

 

Upon just such a lazy day

I once casually sauntered by

Hearing the call of nature's beauty

thought that God had spoke just to I

 

With the sound of a lonesome whistle

down the river the steamers rolled

To this the backdrop behind the field

the childhood longing is all told

 

 Across the field dressed all in black

a boy and his team worked the ground

I stood to watch an hour or so

not moving or making a sound

 

A smile as wide as the river

shown across the boys bright face

Perhaps this was the very first time

he had taken his father's place

 

In him I could see a purpose

a reward for his tiny soul

I could tell by the way he worked

nothing would lure him of his goal

 

Long it is since I felt like that

as a boy just going on ten

Doing twice what was asked of me

to be noticed by him again

 

Passing for gold in a boy's heart

are all the looks his father pays

collecting what he can in life

to spend long into older days

 

In him I saw both rhyme and reason

as we all live and pass away

A boy working so hard to grow up

while we men all wish we could play

 

Author's Note

Is there anything that mimics the flow of life better than the big river? The mighty Mississippi rolls on to the sea.

Reviews

[Crowley]

I would like to see your poetry sprinkled about liberally in a documentary series about the history of our country. You have such an edge for nostalgic writing, it almost brings tears to my eyes every time I read something of yours. Your writing is a sophisticated Johnny Cash tune, the sweat off the back of a railroad worker, the glimmer in that young boys eyes when he knows he's done good. I just love it.

[Tate Morgan]

With this one review from eight years ago you cemented my undying gratitude and friendship I appreciate you. Many of the things I wanted to do and managed to accomplish here were directly attributed to a few good friends who through their attention brought a smile to the boy in me thank you

[Crowley]

Tate I have more respect for you than most people. You have been raising family and responsibility to new highs. Your writing always inspired me and you girmness in you political beliefs is to be admired. As one of my longest online friends, let me tell you I couldn’t ask for any better. Thanks for being a decent human being.

[Tate Morgan]

There’s hope for humanity for you and I and our children’s children May we leave them with
read moreThere’s hope for humanity for you and I and our children’s children May we leave them with
Kind thoughts of selfless behavior and a smile . As always your friend Tate

[Tate Morgan]

A better place a kinder beginning a more humane existwmce temlered by selflessness. This world today of narcesistic massaginy is creating a world of megalomaniacs someone has to be a voice of sanity we are that I hope

[Audrey Howitt]

This poem speaks to me about what is is to be a man from a boy's perspective and remembering what it is like to be a boy from a man's perspective--wonderfully tender write Tate

[Penlady]

Old men and boys
Tenderhearted joys.

[Raven Starhawk]

This has rendered me speechless. I have stopped by to read it before but never knew exactly how to write a worthy enough comment. Even now words fail me although I still wanted to say something about how wonderfully it was written.

[Raven Starhawk]

This has rendered me speechless. I have stopped by to read it before but never knew exactly how to write a worthy enough comment. Even now words fail me although I still wanted to say something about how wonderfully it was written.

[Austin Smith]

Wow. This was fantastic. The descriptions, especially the "smile as wide as the river" were vivid and ethereal, and the overall purpose of this was captivating! I really, REALLY liked this.

[ice]

Boy and river, both flow
Away from their origins the same:
Time and wind wrinkle, skin and water
A man nurtured by a good man,
Is a better man than most.
But we must remember
*That each boys will, is the winds will..
Each of us need to be given freedom,
And place to feel proud of
By an older man that understands that will.
* Thank you Robert Frost.

This poem reminds me of when I was nine.
It brought emotions to the surface
That usually stay hidden,
until something like this poem triggers them to surface.

Thanks for sharing this, Tate.

[Kaitlynn A. Black]

I've never seen the Mississippi River in person. Many photo's I have gazed of it though. Yet, I suppose it's grandeur and slow moving pace I can relate to. As the waves of the sea slowly push and pull with the tides, there's always the sound of Tugs a pull'n upon the waters that they've plied.
I can relate to the growing up and wanting to be an adult and then wishing that I could once again return to younger days. You have captured that essence firmly in the imagery of your piece.
I very much enjoyed the journey you have brought to life with your words.

Kaitlynn

[Kenneth The Poet]

I love this poem, the last stanza especially. This explain why men are just big boys with even bigger toys. A Tonka dump truck is replaced by a real Dodge 4x4.

[roarke]

This piece harkens of days gone by, of unadulterated or distracted relationships between father and son. This is the true gold, the currency of connected generations, direct and intimate effects. It happens in a ballet of time, nature and intention of action. A lesson for all of us to value.

[LadyNaida]

This is a beautiful poem. As I read it, I can see each scene in my mind. It was like watching a mini movie. :)