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

[Abhinav]

LOVED THIS!!!...the beauty of the father-son relationship was expressed by u in a wonderful manner
looking back, this poem brought back some cherished memories of my childhood, and the emotions behind this poem were evident to all.
it had amazing depth, and you have really wrote this from your heart, it seems
kudos on a wonderful write

[Lilly]

It is amazing the rush that so many children feel to grow up (and often it is too fast) and then once we reach a point in our lives we long to be a child again - very beautiful poem on the relationship of fathers and sons

[MusicJunkie66]

totally true and it was filled with so much meaning. awesome!!!

[Star Wolf]

A wonderful poem about fathers and sons. Lots of emotions in this. Boys want to grow up as fast as they can and men just wish they could have fun and play again. So true!

[An owl on the moon]

You create a vibrant world through your exquisite writing talent. The sense of what was as children, and the feelings of men looking back. Excellent write!

[MagiCrystal]

A heavenly poem... that deserves such an honor to read.. you have posted your soul in this poem..
Some words like yours are felt in the hearts who had never had a father but yet they long to know ... that.. special love.. sad.. so sad to me...
Stop making me cry... aw...

[Poetic Beauty]

This is such a touching poem about fathers and sons. The last stanza in this poem is so true. the flow of this poem is easy to read and it is another relaxed piece that doesn't take extra thought to figure out what the poem is saying.

[Domenic Luciani]

I have to say that in the beginning I was coasting along, just enjoying the poem stanza by stanza, but the very last line really moved me and just brought everything together. Great one Tate!

[harman kour]

You are too good!!! This kept me engrossed from the very beginning and I loved the end... Its so true-
Boys working so hard to grow up;
while we men, all wish we could play.

[theunknownchick]

You know what? I dont even know what to say. You are an amzing poet thats for sure :) Keep up the good work