Heart of a Lion

My rendition of Drake Cooper and his dog Dodger.

His play he would be forsaking

facing the darkness we all fear

Soul aching tiny heart breaking

oh how he wished that I were near

 

The matriarch of his small clan

was ill and finally dying

It was his plan to act the man

while inside his heart was crying

 

I had finished my latest book

which I dedicated to Drake

The Ties That Bind weren’t so kind

as I heard his little heart break

 

I sent him the book to peruse

in the hopes that it would cheer him

To ease the blues and heal his bruise

though the diagnosis was grim

 

He took her my book with the note

opened it to the beginning

Where he read the quote,  I had wrote

his face all aglow and grinning

 

In the end what could any say

to this child who loves his small clan

Love whispered stay,  don't run away

to this boy forced to be a man

 

Tate

Author's Note

Little Drakes grandmother passed away a week later and he was extremely upset. If I could do anything for him I would. He has taken it as well as any man would. But times like these we don't want him to have to be a man. We want him to live out his childhood as a boy. I can tell you the tears of a child can break the heart of any man!
This was the dedication I wrote in the front of my newest book
The Ties That Bind
I dedicate this book to Drake Cooper
A young boy of unique talent and intellect. In him I see the great handy work of the Almighty. His was the heart that once reached out to mine. When I was most alone. I will always be grateful. He bought me my first poetry album. Then inspired me to fill it with my writing. Possessed with the heart of a lion and soul of a poet. Meeting him was one of the greatest gifts I ever received. He will always be loved by me.
Tate

Reviews

[Brianna Brie]

Your words are so moving. There is nothing like a child to teach us about ourselves and life. Lovely tribute!

[An owl on the moon]

What a beautiful, moving dedication to a boy who will be a man.. And to read your note, to see the inspiration he gave to you as well, that just lifts the soul. Thank you for sharing this with us and showing the power of belief in another.. what it can do to change a life.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Such a lovely tribute to this young man. I am sure he will carry you in his heart on into his manhood. Well done....

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Bless this child... he seems a joy , loving and kind and you too reaching out to him in his time of need... and he will always have that time.. we all do .
Wonderful poem for this little soul.

Chloe

[JENY]

at first I thought..that entire poem is an ode... to your own boyhood ....
but later....understood.....
very nice...excellent.....
first two stanza....very beautiful...

[DiMar4u]

to survive....that's the primary chore inlife. all that follows is derived through choice. laughter and love are optional, but still, like anything else, a choice. circumstances often fend for themselves, with little consideration of what my please you or i....

i was particularly struck by the idea of a little boy forced tobe a man....yet, he does not begrudge, rather, thelittle dude seems to seize the joy themoment IS offering; so strange how we mind our pain soclosely, asif it my flee if welook away..

the kid is on to some'thin, embrace what joy life offers,nothing is permanent--that's what i'mwalk'n away with, take'n thelittle man's lead after all--

here's to you drake-cheers!

[Amanda]

This touched my heart. Fabulous write.

[LA Lorena]

This was a truly amazing write Tate, such depth of beauty....I am humbled. Some people just have the ability to touch us, to affect us, to move us in a way that no one else can. You needed each other and gave for a time that what was missing or needed in life, what a wonderful tie to bind. A lovely tribute my friend!

[Judy Ponceby]

Tate, what a beautiful, heartbreaking tribute to a fine young man. You have both done well by each other in this life through difficult passings. God Bless both of you.

[Lilly Negoi]

beautiful dedication and very moving poem!