The Reaper

 Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. Mark Twain

 

I stopped to see my father today

as he lay on his third deathbed

The Reaper visited two times before

but my father refused to play dead

 

"Son he said. Come sit with me

for I feel it my duty to tell

It's not that I have found Heaven

but more over I didn't find Hell"

 

I suppose when a man nears his end

he fears for his immortal soul

My father thought the sins of his youth

would reap him a horrible toll

 

To all of us who have known success

from labors and pains endured

It isn't the end that fills our hearts

it's by the journey that we are cured

 

For a man knows nothing if not that

as he learns from life's long way

Through troubles faced and overcome

strength and character grows each day

It doesn't matter which God you believe

nor which Heaven your bus runs to

Grow your faith in your fellow man

and perhaps he can go there too

 

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Author's Note

Out from the black of eternal night shone a ray of light!

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

How can I review, when you start out with Mark Twain staring me down? Will Rodgers he would of been easier,
or a wild thought Zappa, "Joe's Garage". You leave no room Fathers yours and mine have the edge, they could read,and not just books,Men , they would measure,the moment, the time, the gap in the man at the end of the hand,pressure, depth of eye,their force was knowing of the part out of line, by grace they would live and accept from others what they would not from you. The Bar was high for all, but we placed ours in our fathers will.

[Tate Morgan]

How apropos that you would mention the hand pressure i remember teaching little Drake the boy I adore to shake hands I told him how a man judges anothers character in a hand shake. We went to his school then that day to meet his teacher he shook his hand. The teacher turned to me and said Man what a grip this boy has. Lol The smile on little Drakes face was priceless!

[lee von cleef]

lesson they don't teach anymore.

[Tate Morgan]

How true I remember after that his other saying I never knew drake needed a man in his life till you came along up till then he pushed every man who got near me away suddenly you come along and he can't get enough I remember at seven him in the other room telling her if you don't marry Tate you will suffer my wrath lol he said you don't get it he is the only man whom loves me the rest all talk to me to get to you Tate comes here to see me as much as you how true that was

[Tate Morgan]

Children know they see right through facades they say what they feel

[angelina neves]

A very beautiful poem!
"nor which Heaven your bus runs to / Grow your faith in your fellow man /and perhaps he can go there too"

[Tate Morgan]

thank you very nice of you to be so kind

[Leslie Philibert]

Like this, written with care, have to admit I am not great fan of videos, I like to concentrate on the written word..

[Tate Morgan]

thank you for that honesty Les. I am so glad you came by

[N!LoC]

very nice poem.... abit deep for me to delve into at this moment....

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you N Loc I'm sorry if this brought up bad memories

[Abdul Aziz]

Indeed, it's by the journey we are cured. Many seem to miss the point. It's not the goal. It's how you reach it. This was a moving dedication, Tate. I just don't understand what you mean when you say "My father's great mistake in life was thinking us just here for him". The poem as a whole is enchanting, and the music really elevates the poem to another level. You sure do know how to present your poems. This is a tribute to an immortal soul.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Doc oh if only we had all the answers right? hank you so much

[Baby Ricochet]

I really liked this one. Great poem Tate

[Tate Morgan]

Hey mark nice to see you tonight i am half out of it but i wrote that a while back for my father he laughed at that one

[Coyote Poetry]

This is a amazing piece. These are the kind of words we must leave with our kids. To trust in themselves and stand for the right things. I like that he defeated death twice. The second reading was better than the first. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories.

[Tate Morgan]

Coyote thank you I have been working all day so great to hear from you A man of the world your words hold way more weight than the average man to me .

[Dayran]

The son is the father of the man ... and in whatever way we come to see the old man ... we realize that he once loved us. A poem about the timeless relation between father and son.

[Tate Morgan]

I hold my god responsible for his own errors Even if they are us. just as i would be responsible in my mind for my own sons up bringing.Thank you

[realmwriter]

Very nicely done Tate. A journey we will all one day realize we have already embarked upon.

[Tate Morgan]

MAy i postpone that trip as long as possible

[realmwriter]

Indeed my friend, indeed.

[Seashell]

Dear Tate
This is full of wisdom making each and every one of us realise the importance of believing. We do not know what lies ahead but we sure know we are going somewhere sometime, and until then we live our lives dealing with whatever comes our way, trying in the process to comprehend why fate has played such cards. This we have no control over and everything happens for a reason. Great and wondrous things and feelings take place for some during this course but not so good for others.
Your Dad had his own thoughts and that's allowed
Thanks for a wonderful share this Monday morning
:-) xx

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Babs lovely thoughts

[Pryde Foltz]

Loved, loved, loved the message of this one Tate.
It doesn't matter which God you believe

nor which Heaven your bus runs to

Grow your faith in your fellow man

and perhaps he can go there too

Spectacular words.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you pryde so beautiful to hear from you