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

[Shelly Braen]

Wonderful! So brilliant are the days of youth and you simply have a flare to take the reader into a different time, a different place, and a different life. You bring about such cherished, yet simple memories and make them unforgetable! The beauty of the land so fresh and new, just like the life you described and broght to the present! Absolutely stunning!

[Honourfish]

Excellent poem! Love the imagery and the idea of the wishes of the generations were the opposite to the actual activities of the generations so to speak. Brilliant read.

[?]

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


Ok yes this brought a tear but also a smile.
We all work hard and cant wait to grow up and then when we get there we wish we were young again. lol Wonder why this is?

This was awesome
And Crowley dont worry he brings tears to my eyes everytime. lol
This is an amazing moving piece as are all of yours.
Im thinking you should think about what Crowley said.
Wonderful Tate

[Marie Harrison]

Oh, I love this Tate. It's really good. Looove Johnny Cash, so sexy!

[Ellen Hammond]

You have a special gift bringing the past to life and light with a gentle touch. This is so moving and very well presented with the music and pic adding that special touch. Much enjoyed!

[River Wilson]

Thats amazing Tate, this one is a keeper for when i have a son of my own.
Things most fathers forget are the little things like this, that can draw a wedge not easily closed.

[SilentDreamer]

Great peice of work, as all the others here have said. You entered this writing into my group, "The Unreviewed." Meaning the writing entered doesn't have any reviews, or very few. Whereas this poem has 53 reviews. Pages. I think that's plenty, right? I'm just saying because other people get insulted when people post their writings on my group and have lots of reviews. Depletes the point of the group itself. I've had people complain about it and tell me to delete the writing if it has pages of reviews. For now though I won't. This is a great peice of work as you know since so many have told you. Great idea, great picture, great imagery. Just great, awesome job. Thank you for joining my group! :) 99/100

[Bridget Mcmaken]

this is a great poem, awesome work.

[Vincent Esprit FMI]

This piece seems to reflect the inner pains of this child who yearns for his father's attention. I find this verse to be the core of this piece
"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."
The strength and hope of this piece seems to lie in the boy who eventually grew up! Courage and strength and conratulations! thanks for capturing an image that is ever so vividly present in the life of many a man today, and thanks for sharing!

blessings
vincent

[Shalini Dinesh]

When we are young, we wish we were grown up, when we are grown up, we wish we were young again, natural psychology of humans, it gives pride when we take up the place of our parents, it gives great joy for parents to watch their child doing extremely well in their place... well written... good luck in the contest.