The Garden Of Tears

He practiced disdain for mankind. Never giving himself to another. Closed away his heart and mind.

 

Near the road a cemetery bloomed

in the ancient noon day light

An old man stood to his task

of tending graves each night

 

He had spent his youth working

too afraid to spend emotion

Took all he could from everyone

but gave no love to the devotion

 

Romance was not his forte

he practiced disdain for mankind

Hardly giving love to another

closed away his heart and mind

 

Thinking life to be a race

he had pushed his way along

Took from the world no pleasure

he whistled but heard no song

 

Now retired and long lived

he thought himself to be paid

To have outlived all the others

was reward for plans he'd made

 

As he looked to stones he tended

for all those he'd known in life

An old dream ached in his chest

for words written to his wife

 

She had once been his true love

the only one he had known

Lost to another in his youth

he was aged, but never grown

 

Now his tears water her grave

stones of family, oh so few

The dreams of lost love fading

wonders of life he never knew

 

Called to rest some time ago

he lies cold among his peers

A shadow on winter's night

walks the graveyard of his tears

 

 

Author's Note

What is a life for? If we cower from truly living are the extra years truly living?

Reviews

[Re-Pete]

excellent and sobering. beyond deep. one of my worst fears. am i sucking enough marrow ... :)

"I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms." - Thoreau

[Tate Morgan]

Pete life is short. In my opinion a man should look at it this way. Look to the needs of others first. A man treads lite on honest property. No coward or gentleman slave. Gives of himself to the poor of heart.Stands fast in the face of the grave. Caring for her life’s burdens. Soothes the children of their tears. Is the rock all others break apron. Leaves fond memory of his years. For what can we expect of life? Other than to be remembered fondly by those whom we have loved and who have dared to love us

[Re-Pete]

the older I get, the more I find myself doing as you so richly describe. what better mark or legacy to leave upon this world ... :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you we will not be remembered for our selfishness only for those we give to selflessly

[M. J. Smith]

'Tis better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all...
Wise words, sad words, words well written, Sir.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you MJ I agree wholeheartedly. To have lived and never loved But certainly feel like a waste of life

[Vari]

Nicely penned poem! Must say the way you expressed story of a person who wasted his life is rightly being explained and the love that he lacks out of grief is really painful. Song adds the aura on the whole poem just like a cool scented winds. Glad to read the poem.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Vari. May we not follow in his footsteps

[Vari]

Yes, Tate never!

[LazerRays]

This is really sad. Poor guy. The person he loves is dead. This is a great poem with a magnificent plot. Thank you for entering my contest :P
hopefully the man doesn't go psycho like some people in the past and dig her up... O.o

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Sarah

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

love this thanks for entering this into my comp

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Julie smiles

[Nolo Segundo]

I like this Tate, and your choice of music-- perfect!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Nolo it is a tale of a wasted life

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

this tremendous poem love it
love the music
love the pic
thanks so much for entry into my comp and good luck !

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Julie I am partial to it myself

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you so much for sending this link Tate! from start to finish chills ran up and down my face and arms .. the song is brilliant ... its a very special gift to well tears up so immediately in a poem .. well done sir! one of the best i have read from you ...
E.
ps. anyone with 1/8th of a heart is moved by this one sir ..very well done ..

[Tate Morgan]

I thank you gene.i cant even remember what made me write this one

[Einstein Noodle]

i have an affection for cemeteries ... especially those of age ... have visited some ancient in the scope of this USA ... never felt uncomfortable .. its a special respect and peace to find in them ... and if one should be moved to leave ..probably should do just that ;)

[Einstein Noodle]

congrats on your contest win!!! read this again and enjoyed it even more ..there are a few who love once ...for their whole life thru ..no matter what ...tragic to onlookers but he remained true ..and settled for nothing less ...sad so sad!
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Gene this one speaks to
Me as well of the wasted life pursuing riches over love

[Cassie]

This is so sad, afraid to live, enjoy life and your years just waste away and you look back and regret wishing you could take back time. This is such a sad reality.

[Tate Morgan]

How true this is the fate of all who place money in front of love thank you

[Roland Petrov]

Observing and experiencing the universe, from sushi to pisces, is truly living.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Roland It is a sad thing to see a man waste his life away