The Ties That Bind

My son thought it an adventure learning how to build on real scale Who could say they don't love the day when their sons light shone in detail

My son thought it an adventure

learning how to build in full scale

Who could say they don't love the day

when their boy's light shone in detail

 

We had worked into the evening

my son and I together played

Sharing the trials exchanging smiles

rebuilding the home where we stayed

 

He felt this would be a great test

knowing on him I would depend

I think he knew as I did too

that summer was about to end

 

I drift back in dreams to the day

we both held to our love of clan

The autumn breeze played through the trees

saying my boy was now a man

 

Johnny Cash   Home of the Blues 

Author's Note

Our house had suffered smoke damage last summer. It was a telling time for sure. But through it all my son stood by me. He and he alone helped me rebuild what we had lost. I realized when he turned down going to meet friends for a trip to Cedar point just to help me finish our new deck that he was a man. But as we passed smiles back and forth I also knew I was losing my little boy. It is a great feeling to know you have done well by your child. It is also so sad to realize that the day will soon come that I will have to let go. I can say when a man is a boy all the new days ahead are adventures. But to a father time seems to test your resilience. While everything is exciting to the young who find it new. Life makes us grow when older by learning to let go.

Reviews

[Sunni Davis]

This is a beautiful representaion of the bond between parent and child. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm sorry for the loss of your home, but it seems something horrible turned into a great experience for you and your son. I think finding the positive in a negatitve situation is one of life's richest moments. Terrific piece!

[emmajoy]

Tis said that any parent who tries to tether his/her child is a bigger fool than the devil .. seems you're only too aware of that. Your son's a young man with a past that's taught him well, your poem shows him to be very special. 'Truly hope and pray his future is a great and happy one. (What a traumatic time you went through with the near loss of your home; can recall how awful it was for you all.)

Fine poem, as ever and always.

[Tommy]

Yes, I can imagine the dual thoughts, one of joy and the other of sorrow. Time seems to go by so fast, and all we can do is hope to do our best to lead by example. I am sure your heart swelled with pride when he chose to stay and work instead of going to play; a man indeed, one who learned from his father the responsibilities that come with age. Like father like son. This piece, like all that I have read of yours, is full of feel, and written within a form true to your likes, another masterpiece from Tate...

Great Write Tate!
RLG,
Tommy

[abhas]

wow.. wonderful... thanks for sharing such a nice experience in beautiful words... to watch him grow must be a really proud thing... i do agree with you on the fact that life makes us grow by learning to let go....

[Alicia™]

This is a great poem… These moments certainly are something to be treasured.

[Loner]

Beautifully expressed , in depth feelings ..... a true emotion of a father happy to see ones son turn into a man from " my little boy " ...... amazingly portrayed tribute to a son proud to be a father off .......

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Cherished moments, to be sure. My Son is 20. Soon to be out in the world. I totally relate to your poem. You have every reason to be proud. Thank you for sharing.
I wrote a very short story called Grand Mal. It is featured on my page. Thx

[pheasant]

It's a pleasure to read about such a healthy father-son relationship, it seems that this is almost a rare thing in this day and age. Excellent job here and in "real" life, my friend.

[Geralyn Miller]

How fortunate your son is to have a Father who raised him to be a good and decent man. I love reading how proud you are of your son. You have expressed so powerfully the bittersweetness of recognizing that your son's childhood was ending; and you also let the reader know you would let the inevitable happen. This is a wonderful slice of life work.
I know some of my best memories are of helping my Mother and Grandmother put a huge covered patio on the back of the house. My Mother taught me to build forms and pour cement and how to smooth and puddle the cemenmt untill the "cream" rose to the top so the slab would be very smooth. My Grandmother taught me to set the post straight and level, then put up the roof and shingle it. I am slow but precise at roofing.Then Grandma taught me to lay block and stone as we built a huge barbeque neatly lined with firebrick and planter boxes around the patio. I never forgot the lessons I learned then,not just the construction but the life lessons; now that they are both gone, the lessons and memories are even more precious.

[LivingDeath]

I like this :) Different than the ones I have read of yours though its nice to have a change. I myself cant say what its like to have a kid, but with this poem I can tell your son means the world to you and to see him grow into a man is the most meaningful thing to you. I can tell you love him greatly. Very nice write :)