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

[BrynnaW.]

A wonderful poem I very much enjoyed reading. You packed so much emotion in this. I was truly touched as everyone else was from what I can see. It was perfectly written and a magnificent poem to read. Well done! Keep on writing!

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Tate,

Wonderful sentiment, dripping with emotion.

Ah, Life! How it tries us! It is during such moments, however, that we can be most touched by another individual as we share our humanity.

Greatly enjoyed, Tate.

Very best regards,

Rick

[Muse]

We all have encountered some point in time....that one "soul" that inspires us to be better. For me, it was this one art teacher...his room was always a place of refuge for me. He knew that I was different, and needed a place of solitude to escape life...and all the bullying. He inspired me to be at one with my oddness...to try to pen and draw what was eating me alive. He gave me peace during a time of torment. Even 15 years later, I still run into him everynow and then...I give him a good hug. He will always be my mentor...my father. He too bought me a book at highschool graduation...empty pages. When the time is right...he said to fill it with my hopes and dreams. So yes Tate...the best gifts recieved are almost always priceless. But it's what you do with these gifts...that also matter as much as the gift itself.

[joshua deathdealer]

Very emotional and beautifully written. Excellent read.

[Bhavya Kaushik]

That was very inspiring and so emotionally overwhelming!

[AmandaN]

A truly moving piece, I feel touched and honoured to have read it.Thank you.

[jkhatz]

Wow, it brought me to tears and mirrored my son's fading childhood. Thank you for sending it to me.

[Mary C]

emotional and moving. Extremely powerful.

[Crow]

A soul felt work of art, I am touched.

[patricia]

This was really good, I enjoyed your use of the word 'clan' and 'matriarch'

Amazing picture too!

Thanks.