Childhood Dreams

If faith can move a mountain, then it can save a soul.

 

 My granddaughter Payton. I bought her a new bear. She quickly took the green sweater off of it, put it on the old bear and cast the new one in the corner.lol She has my heart and well knows it. It's such a helpless feeling to be in her clutches.

If our faith can move a mountain

 then it should save a soul

To have untapped faith in oneself

is life's great gift and goal

 

Within all children lay a dream

to be more than their parts

To open gifts within themselves

warming their tiny hearts

 

Ask a small child this question

"what do you want to be"

Always it's seems there's something grand

through their minds eye they see

 

So where do all the lost come from

 who find their dreams have died

Then see their hopes all washed away

as if cast on the tide

 

No one can say with assurance

what happened to those souls

How all their dreams in life were lost

or for whom the bell tolls

 

If asked of me I would just say

truth is hard to admit

The mind is not a vessel filled

but a fire to be lit

 

Author's Note

Who can say with any assurance that they know where their life will take them?
But like all of us I too had dreams. Maybe they were a bit lofty. Maybe they were naive. We all know the boundless wonder of becoming an astronaut or fearless explorer.
However the man who crushes a child's dreams may as well have killed him.
Forever is the innocence lost. Forever will he doubt the word of all adults. Lost is the beauty of divinity. Lost the love of fair play. Gone the reward for decency, never to return. This is why we must take our responsibility for the young as a most divine effort and solemn responsibility.

Reviews

[Bubo]

I wanted to cry reading this having been the child who had dreams crushed at a young age, and how wise you are, for the essence of a child must be protected, nurtured and loved, for their dreams build worlds, and you are clearly a man of deep emotion, and a wonderful father.........your words were beautiful, and if every child had a father like you this world would be beautiful. Bless you Tate, for your wisdom and writing.

So where do all the rest come from
those who find their dreams have all died
With all their hopes then washed away
as if they left out with the tide
_________________________

[Devanshu Rajput]

I admit that that I am no longer in childhood, but in adolescence. But, I know that what it is all about to have dreams. While I was reading your poem, a quotation by a great soul evoked in my mind. It goes like this:-

"The future belongs to those, who believe in the beauty of their dreams".

Do you know what, during my childhood whenever someone asked that what is my ambition in my life, I always answered differently every time. Like I answered sometimes Doctor, sometimes Engineer, sometimes a writer, and so on.

Your poetry reminded me that what it is all about to be a child.

But to be honest, your granddaughter is an angel, and to be harsh with you, she is even beautiful than your poem. She is just like anything. I don't not have any sister, but I hope that in my next incarnation she becomes my younger sister.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I am down visiting her tonight she is as u say an angel I will look after her innocence so long as I breath

[Devanshu Rajput]

It is the sanctity of innocence that makes children what they are. My only hope is that may, God always be with her, and every child get a grandfather like you.

[Terpsichore]

'The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be lit.'

So often it never happens, instead the dying embers of dreams and ambition are dashed on the rock of indifference, the potential gone before it has even been given a chance to flower.

A child is the most beautiful of God's creations, one smile, one look of trust is worth more than all the gold in the world. T

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much I agree what is more precious than a childs innocence the love given without a thought of self

[Alicia Schroeder]

Brilliant write, childhood dreams are amazing, I have never let go of my inner child, I always encourage children to tell stories and create pictures, I remind them often that its okay to be different and unique, including my son, he's gifted with stories and a wonderful imagination as well.. Great Piece

[Tate Morgan]

Hi alicia thank you I am such the child myself I can empathize with them as i am one of their own kind lol

[Alicia Schroeder]

That is a great gift, never let it go, to many do and it never hurts to think outside the box..lol, hope all is well :)

[Tate Morgan]

well I was one drug into adulthood kicking and screaming Unlike most at 10 i didnt want to be 11 I always wanted to stay young

[Alicia Schroeder]

lol, my kids laugh at me all the time, when I tell them "When I grow up" oh the funny looks they give me are priceless..

[Tate Morgan]

yeah the joke is that they think we know what we are doing lol

[Alicia Schroeder]

lmao.. They'll figure it out soon enough, as for now just let them wonder..haha

[Tate Morgan]

My daughter once asked me If ever i made a mistake as a father lol "Oh yeah" i said "we do the best we can with our decisions But I simply felt that my life experiences were greater than yours so we do it my way But did I know what I was doing?" No" "Well thats just great" she says " I'm being raised by a couple children lol"

[Alicia Schroeder]

That is too funny.. Kids do say the craziest stuff :)

[MomzillaNC]

Beautifully written.

Children are pure potentiality. I wish I knew how best to guide them to plumbing the depths of that potentiality. For now, I guess I can do my best and dream with my child of all his potentialities.

[Tate Morgan]

We do what we can the important thing is to be there for them to support themselves thank you so much

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome. I try to be there. I'm his nurse, his nursemaid, his cook, his housekeeper, his babysitter, his playmate, his mentor, his drill sergeant, his cheerleader, his teacher, his moral guide, his human example. I'm his conscience, his career counselor, his defender, his prosecutor, his political advisor and his Faith leader. I'm his mom.

[Tate Morgan]

that is what it is all about this could apply to you too then and all mothers
Mothers love http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/532361/

[timthy]

Once again left breathless...to take away ones dreams as a child , is to take away the pure essence of hope as an adolescent , and leave one complacent as an adult...Great read!!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Tim i know the feeling to crush a childs dream is almost criminal

[melissa]

This amazing poem tate thank you for sharing your poems keep up the great work and keep them coming i love reading them the boy in the picture is adorable

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you melissa

[Claire in VA]

Fantastic write, Tate. I really love this.

As a teacher and mother, I believe that we should help build our children, not bring them to ruins. It is so sad to see the parents and even a teacher or two crush a child's dreams. It is difficult to balance teaching reality along with dreams, but it can be done in a good, healthy way. I am thankful for those parents and teachers who believe as you. From what I have seen, children who are crushed very rarely overcome it.

Your words are both profound and beautiful!

Enjoyed much by Claire.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Claire I agree it is rare for a adult to not hinder a child with their own inhibitions and failures

[Claire in VA]

Your Payton is beautiful. I meant to write that before.
Also, you and your wife do not look old enough for a grandchild!

[Tate Morgan]

Well I am 54 she is 50 We are certainly old enough thank you Payton just tugs at my heart .My own so
n is 18 this year

[...]

my favorite line, "to open gifts within themselves," beautiful, Tate

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Lynn I am glad you are back

[Frieda P]

'A fire to be lit' I like that, we all had dreams growing up...most of them don't materialize, we hope and wish better for our own children. Is that your granddaughter Tate? Sweet...

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Frieda Yes that is my granddaughter she is adorable isnt she? lol

[Frieda P]

Yes, she's a living doll proud gramps :-)

[BlackRose]

No one knows in life what will happened or where they are going to go. They just follow where it leads either good or bad. Life's a journey going on and on... Much truth to this piece.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Sadly I watched many a grandparent lavish love upon their grandchildren that they had denied through youthful arrogance to their own children growing up

[BlackRose]

Yes sadly, I have seen a bit too in my life. it's a shame that it has to come to that cause they are trying to fill that void somehow by doing this. :o/