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

[Allan Eddings]

This is easily one of your most simply appealing pieces, it is not overwritten or unnecessarily simplified - the paternal feelings and pride flow through the words and phrasing with such ease. While I do not consider it technically your best piece, I would say it is most certainly amongst your most heartfelt and sincere. It is a sublime piece upon fatherhood, a beautiful testament to the paternal, and a loving piece that shares with audience the swelling pride that must've been filling your breast at that moment.

Thank you ever so much for sharing this moment in your life, it is comforting that from the ashes of something as tragic as losing the family home can come something so resplendent as the blossoming of one's child into an admirable man.

Sincerely and in all earnestness,
A.E.

[Lily Mae]

Out of a fire, all this was born....thank you for sharing your poem and your story with us..x

[Julie Beth]

my dad helps out my grandpa all the time its good to know that your son will be there for you in hard times and help out when you need help. this was an amazing poem great job :)

[M.Babu]

How it must feel to have that fatherly pride must be amazing. I cannot claim to understand that but your words have helped me alot. Through the tribulations and despair i judge it was refreshing to watch and rebuild together and in doing so build a bond between each other too. You should feel happy that you moulded such an individual, selfless and kind. Maturing into what you wanted him to be all along.
Sure it feels sad but it's supposed to because you did a good job with him. As is the case with this piece. Good one

That is so nice Tate ... I agree with EmpressPoetess , and as always masterfully crafted , only thing that I may say is that the name does not link to the poem , to a casual reader who would not care to read author comments as the fire is not mentioned in the poem .... but then again I think the name is appropriate because it signifies the incident that brought about the rebuilding ..

[EmpressPoetess]

your son is so fortunate to have such a loving father; you have a sweet son who loves you very much. You never lose them, really. because you can always see them as they grow. Wonderful write, Tate

[Art Sun]

Life is filled with wisdom Tate...and you show us the depth of your heart, the trials of misfortune are but the opening to moments where we find our Soul and cherish the very gifts we have received. You must have a closeness to your son, and your family that creates such warmth and love through your poetry...I truly enjoyed reflecting upon your thoughts...nice work my friend...

[Valentine]

Sorry about the house..but the feelings of a father remind me of my mom and how she was about all of here 9 children..she was a hanger on and did it with guilt trips etc..She wanted us all to staay with her always..God knows I miss her today,,Kathie

[Robin]

a moment I may never know , but one I can understand ..