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

[Renée]

Well written Tate,
Sad is the life, not well lived..

[Tate Morgan]

Such a waste and to think we only have one chance to get it right thank you

[Renée]

I understand..but maybe more important than getting it right..is what we do with our mistakes? Though sad... even the person in your poem has a purpose..to teach us who listen..not to waste our time here on earth. ( : "everything has a season, everything has a purpose under heaven" My pleasure Taters ( ;

[Tate Morgan]

thank you dear

[Not here]

This is quite honestly the best poem Ive read in a long, long time. This could be like professionally published. Seriously

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dante please feel free to peruse my works

[Not here]

no problem :) ill look around a bit although idk if ill review every one

[Tate Morgan]

Oh you don't need to review them I appreciate the thought though I get lots of reviews I always like to hear from others about my works but you needn't feel obligated enjoy them if they move you feel free to say whatever I enjoy talking about them more than anything else I have friends here who often ask about how I write them and I enjoy the email most

[Not here]

yeah the messaging on this site is really good. ive only been on for a few months but its the best i think

[Tate Morgan]

Yes it is I have been very lucky to get along so well here I am a rhyme and meter poet in the 8 yrs since I started writing I've published 3 books on poetry

[Not here]

wow thats rlly good! did you publish with a company or inependently?

[Tate Morgan]

I published mine independently it took five yrs to publish the first one

[Devanshu Rajput]

I haven't seen a more effective metaphor then the title of your poem.

"Garden of tear" Title could have been no better then this

Brillant! A poem puffed up with utter sadness and darkness.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it certainly is a sad tale of woe to waste ones life in the pursuit of length not breadth

[Jane Winters Rogers]

A loveless life is a life wasted. This poem is excellent, a reminder to the reader to grab the
Excitement, be open and giving... be bold and free...live and love...this old man thought
He had been successful. Still alive but all alone, hardened and bitter, he realizes too late
And dies having never really lived, in his great sorrow and tears his spirit is unable to rest.

Very real and touching, thank you

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you jane you have seen it for what it is

[timthy]

Brother Tate....Another masterpiece ...reminds me of something i would write! Your perspective never ceases to amaze me! Perhaps a collab , or a meeting of the minds is in order? I fancy to say that it would be nothing short of Epic! Great job brother!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much I dont know what inspired this creation it just came to me one day

[MomzillaNC]

The evolution of the poem, and the sorrow of a wasted humanity is breathtaking. There's an ethereal quality to the poem, especially as it draws to a close.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it is a sorrowed tale of woe and warning for us all isnt it?

[MomzillaNC]

And, sadly, a testament to the pursuit of self and the reward of greed.

[Tate Morgan]

i wrote one on that very subject called Vanity

[MomzillaNC]

I'll have to take a look at that one.

[Tate Morgan]

this is it
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/963486/

[MomzillaNC]

I found it. It's wonderful. Your prose leads us along a journey, evolving with every line.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you it was a inner reflection of my own vanity and failures

[MomzillaNC]

Congratulations

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much

[MomzillaNC]

yvw :)

[Frieda P]

Heart wrenching and gorgeous at the same time. Sometimes it seems easier to cower than live life head on....exquisitely written sentiment Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks dear it seems what moments we waste we pay for in the end through of regret .I do like the way this one flows it is probably one of my favorites thanks

[Frieda P]

I think it's my favorite of yours too...

[Tate Morgan]

thanks frieda

[melissa]

Amazing poem tate Keep up the great work

[Tate Morgan]

thank you melissa sad isnt it

[melissa]

Your welcome Yes it is but you did amazing job writing this poem and i enjoy reading very much

[Tate Morgan]

thank you It was anything but easy for me to create seems i worked off and on on it for yrs

[AnonD]

This is so wonderful! I absolutely love it!!! Great job I think this is amoung the best poetry I have read.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much so nice to meet you I am Tate I accepted your friend request.

[AnonD]

Thanks a lot. I really want to keep updated on your stuff it's great!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you feel free to peruse any of my poems here

[wordwarrior]

This is wonderful Tate and quite heart wrenching, to know that people expect life to reward them simply because they do their job. It's all those extras that we do, putting ourselves out for others, that makes a life worthwhile. When it's too late, it's too late.
Very thought provoking poem

[Tate Morgan]

thank you I think i created this from the memory of a few different people whose lives didnt go as planned .A trauma in their lives such as this one led them to solitude,