Old Man

Where grass and bending flowers Grew once like the weeds The field empty and barren For lack of sowing seeds

 

The old gray man alone now

attends to his dusty fields

Watering the emptiness

where the land no longer yields

______________________________

He wove his web of fashions

from the tears his pains had sprung

Where once he sang of starlight

back when both their hearts were young

______________________________

Then came the winds a-calling

turned to run a-hoping sure

To reach where she was lying

 sharing pains they'd both endure

_____________________________

The gales did blow around him

precious memories, he'd miss

Drops would fall upon his lips

those that hers would never kiss

______________________________

Where grass and bending flowers 

grew together like the weeds

Lie meadows all but barren

for the lack of sowing seeds

______________________________

The blushing, blowing Poppies

that once grew all around near

Fill the fields with memories

of the love he once lost here

______________________________

Each time he treads on his land

howling, sow-west winds a-blow

Not belonging, feels the longing

 mercy only God may know

Author's Note

I knew a man like this once. His life all but lived. He patiently waited for the end.Which wasn't long in coming. Children give us the legacy that makes the bitterness of our short life more tolerable

Reviews

[Devanshu Rajput]

This is one of the finest piece of poetry that, that I ever came across on this earth. What, flabbergasts me is not only the structure, but the story, that touches my heart.

This masterpiece is like nothing. Your note, deeply moved me. Indeed, kindness and humanity is something that can be felt, by everyone. In a nutshell,

"Compassion is an universal language''

Thanks, for bringing to fore this, piece.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dev I thought i had responded to this from you I see i havent.

[Devanshu Rajput]

I'm glad you responded late, because this way, I got to read your piece again.

You're welcome. Take care.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you young man

[lei]

Oh so sad but very beautiful

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Lei what a beautiful name you have

[lei]

Thank you too Tate :)

[Lyn Croker Paget]

Truly sad and touching. You can't help feeling the Old Man's lament

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Lyn while we men arent often sure of what we want we do know when we have lost it.

[Barbz]

How many of us have lived or witnessed the sadness of this tale..There's not enough numbers. I am touched by your write and reread it many times today. I am a heart-broken witness, as could be our babies. I feel better with each read...Barbz

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Barb I too have known many and rewrote this countless times over the last 6 years

[Barbz]

Perfect....give it a Period!

[Barbz]

I didn't think it could get better, but then again, how would I know about things getting better! However, no crybaby here.....Barbz

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I would have to say it is rewarding to have someone read a work more than once thanks

[TrimarcoRansome]

Beautifully written Tate, as always!

[Tate Morgan]

hi dear i didnt expect to see you here but as always am happy you are thank you

[TrimarcoRansome]

I still keep an eye on things here! As you know I have been busy with my other art and writing.

[Tate Morgan]

I am glad to see you here would love to see you back for awhile

[TrimarcoRansome]

You never know, I might stick around awhile!

[Tate Morgan]

hmm i shall send james magill over to take a look at yours

[wordman]

there around us everyday, every where, to proud for a retirement home or just can`t afford it
staying at home where the memories are,where they can still talk to the ones already passed on
and most of the world to busy to notice

[Tate Morgan]

Thats right thank you you hit the nail on the head

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[MomzillaNC]

Okay… I take it back… THIS one is my favorite of your work! Makes me think of my grandparents (my poem, "Move On… Move On… " -- which I think you read -- is about my grandparents and the love that had them waiting for and following each other beyond).

[Tate Morgan]

awe that is how it should be partners in life partners in death i worked on this one for 2 yrs always changing it

[MomzillaNC]

Please don't change it any more. It's perfect!

[Tate Morgan]

well the last time i spent a whole 8 hrs rewriting it trapping out the syllables checking the rhymes rearranging the quatrains till i finally said i can do no better it is done

[Tate Morgan]

this was the hardest poem I ever did because it is so complicated in its creation it took longer than any of the others http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/740794/

[Nativespirit]

As we grow and get old, reflection can be both glorious and painful. Your words reach deep, move about the palette of life with the intensity of one who has taken the time to see more than what is present.
Thank you.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I suppose we all learn from experience. Its sad isnt it That just when we are at our best as human beings we are out of time

[Androglossia]

This is a beautiful poem about growing old, Tate. Well, they say senescence is inevitable and when we get there, we hope to have made our lives worthwhile. Your author's note speaks of legacy and children. Well, we live with extraordinary examples of people who play role-models within our own families and hope that we can become that extraordinary examples for the next generation. Most likely, people leave a legacy just because of who they are to the people that come into their lives on a daily basis. Every person leaves a legacy I suppose and for sure, these legacies have made their lives worthwhile.

[Tate Morgan]

maryanne thanks dear. This one literally wrung the very water from my soul in its creation.

[Androglossia]

It's my pleasure, Tate:)