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

[The Analog Kid]

This is a good one. Role reversal. Universal idea. "Child is the father of the man."

[LonelySoul]

by the time I had turned 3,my father was not at home with us and that left me feeling that he didn't care,as I didn't understand divorce.
I then learned otherwise,and still hold dear everything he has given me,
and the only regret I have is his hairline...I have it too...
I wish I could change that part...lol

[Sean M. Addams]

a very cool piece .. i thought you did well on this..i've reviewd so many pieces of yours today ..i'm running out of ways to express myself... nice very nice job indeed!!

[Havatara]

I loved it. It really showed what it means as little kids to get praise from your parents and how much work we're willing to do, and how much that as we get older we don't want to work as much =)

[Cassandra D.]

I really really liked this just as I liked the other poems I've read.

[Tara♥Undefined&h..]

Reaaly good job. I never read from a guys point of view really but i enjoyed it!

[little lily Bride of Ch..]

Nice work i Enjoy this read Thank you for sharing

[EmpressPoetess]

Very nice work here. Really enjoyed reading it.

[Raivenne]

"Passing for gold in a boy's heart;
are all the looks his father pays.
Trying to collect what he can;
to spend long into older days."

I enjoyed this Tate; very nicely worded.

[Jenny Nelson]

A nice observation pleasantly and well put.