One Father to Another

Behind those eyes then rose a tear the first blood I had ever drew From the depths of his tiny soul where innocence bid me adieu

Son Tate

Each day my son with thoughtful eyes

looked up to me through his laughter

Knowing I would be kind and wise

from that time and ever after

 

 

Once bitten from pain of divorce

I had shed teardrops of my own

From depths my boy had drug me back

he had never left me alone

 

 

Then came the moment I had feared

when my temper did hurt my son

Deep like the pain from my divorce

left me to ask, "what have I done"

 

 

Behind those eyes there rose a tear

the first blood I had ever drew

From the depths of his tiny soul

where innocence bid me adieu

 

 

Fearing grief would hinder his sleep

and not knowing what I should say

I looked to find him in slumber

there beside our picture he lay

 

 

Asleep in pain his eyes had closed

I felt my heart begin to moan

A sole tear lie upon his cheek

where I left a few of my own

So now whenever I am asked

to bless him with my permission

I think on what I lost that day

when I forced on him submission

Author's Note

Whenever my son asks for my permission I always ask myself now, who will it hurt if I say yes? If the answer is only myself I always say yes. A lesson I learned the hard way. It seems I learn best that way. I should say the reference in this poem to blood being spilled was metaphoric, not literal. In this case I had just lost quite a bit in the divorce and was distraught. Little Tate just wanted my attention. When he started nagging me I turned on him and launched a tirade his way. The look on his face as a tear arose from his soul was heart wrenching. Having never seen me so upset he was devastated. The barb launched his way rebounded off his innocence to strike me dead center in my own heart. I had broken both our hearts. If ever an experience wrung the very water from my soul, this was it!

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

This is such a tender, yet profound piece... I FEEL each word.. I feel each tear.. I feel the anguish.. oh my goodness.. I literally have chills right now.. I feel the depth at which you love this precious blessing.. It is pure, it is unconditional, and it is real.. This is my absolute favorite piece I have had the pleasure of reading on this site... You are truly talented, my friend... AMAZING!!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Now see many would say this was the hardest thing to write and admit But i beg to differ While I cannot read it without shedding a tear And cannot read it aloud writing it was easy it simply poured on the page

[AprilRN1210]

well, it poured brilliantly.. Thank you for sharing this with me.. I absolutely love it.. LOVE it.. not only do you have a wonderful talent, it seems you have a beautiful soul.. :)

[Tate Morgan]

I love my children But Tate holds a special place in my heart he and he alone went through my divorce with me and he alone saved my soul

[AprilRN1210]

I can feel that love shine through every tear soaked word sir and it touched me deeply.. I know you speak the truth.. You are blessed to have one another.. and I am blessed to have been able to read this breathtaking expression of that love..

[Winslow Des Totes]

Hello old friend,
long time no comment!
As always your poem is poignant and direct.
Pouring out your heart like this speaks to your empathy and the kindness of your soul.
Every word is precise and acute and flows effortlessly a cross the screen.
Top quality work as always!

As far as the content is concerned I can relate but from the perspective of the child.
My late father during his divorce had a similar explosion towards us kids. In that moment I saw a side of him that I never knew existed. It frightened me then but I knew it was not his true self. Even as young as I was (6) I knew he did not meant it and when he apologized later and explained I already knew he was sorry and why it happened.
Kids know things they just don't always have the words to express that understanding. But I knew he was hurting that was obvious.
He had tried to shield us from it but we knew by the loss of his smile that he was in pain.
I never held it against him because even then I understood pain and what it meant to be so engrossed by it that nothing else mattered anymore. To be consumed by it and helpless.

We are all only human and we can only bury the feelings so deep before they dig themselves free.
You do not need to regret or feel ashamed you already did what you were supposed to in apologizing and realizing you hurt him too. You addressed that action and acknowledged his discomfort due to your actions. Children like everyone else just want to be heard, seen and considered.
You've done that for him and even though you did something you regret you at least made reparations and took responsibility for it.

He will grow up and see for himself that you did your best, that you loved him dearly and for that he will be grateful. For that he will always love you.
Don't beat yourself up for being human. It may be a hard lesson for a child to learn but it is one we all must learn someday: that pain makes frightened animals of us all. To be at peace and to make peace we must take responsibility and make amends.
Great work as always and it was nice seeing you still active on this site.

All the best,
Sincerely, Tina.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you, Tina. I’ve long since come to grips with this moment. And as time has passed, my son and I are as close as ever.

[Betty Hermelee]

In a divorce situation everyone gets hurt, and to make it worse, kids think that it is their fault…..and to add, they reach out for more attention, which can annoy a parent; anger bursts forth and pain follows quickly….. parent and child emote in their own ways….time helps those who grieve…
This a very emotional piece which hits the heart….
Warmly, B🌷

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it’s hard to make amends to
My mind

[Betty Hermelee]

I understand,, you’re very welcome🌷
Warmly, B

[M. J. Smith]

It is said that we first hurt the I was closest to us. You learned. He forgave. The bind became stronger. Wise words, my friend.

[Tate Morgan]

It It’s true that we can to hurt those we love the most. However he and I are extremely close. We forgive each other

[Robert Trakofler]

Oh yes that fits the bill quite nicely:) You had no need of the explanation note your words in this poem bled every milliliter of your shared tears in its expression. Every element of poetry that I like is in this piece and the silent one... the one I love most the beauty of truth that can only come from a sincere hand flies from the page and straight to the heart as it did yours in your revelation

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Robert. I would say almost every poem ive written is about my own life in someway or another. I think we do best to write about what we know.For it is by emotion I live. And by emotion I shall die. Again thank you.

[BlackRose]

A heartfelt, but with power in its read. Feeling the words come true to life as this is about you and your son in the moment. Felt it all throughout reading, and can only imagine the pain and saddness your son felt when the unexpected happened. Relatable for many of similar or same circumstance.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you it was quite the defining moment in my
Life

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

this is heart gut wrenching and i love it, its so beautifully written paired with my fav singer iris. Ive loved her for years and years. I love your poem, thanks for entering into my competition.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Julie it hurts to read it

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

welldone i think you won an award, good work love iris dement too

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks she’s one
Of my favorites

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

grand ol opry and our town is my fav

[Great Aunt Astri]

Oh this is almost heart breaking! But I know just how you feel. I have 'turned' on my children in the past too, and seen those metaphorical tears of blood. What agony for a parent to see! But children are very resilient, and in a way it is good that they see you are human. They are learning lessons too, just like us (I still am!) Your last verse is full of pathos, but I don't think the father should be so hard on himself. One more verse perhaps? A bit more forgiving? But I thought your poem was very well done, and very moving.

[Tate Morgan]

Astri thank you I have been working almost non stop since last we talked. I wanted to respond to this but kept getting called to other things I truly appreciate the sentiment thank you

[David O Whalen (O Haol..]

As the many thousands of hits attest, this fine write deserves all the admiration it's received. But, with Marie now gone I will play the unwilling villain. As Marie would have pointed out (very kindly) Excellent poetry should partner with good grammar. Case in point: Fourth verse 2nd line ""The first blood I had ever drew." As Marie would have been quick to point out: Tense Tate! Correctly It should read either: "The first blood I ever drew": or "the first blood I had ever drawn. Please keep Marie from rolling over in her grave! She loved your poetry and I'm sure she still does.
Still an amazing piece of work (if only I could write as well!)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you David I understand your correction. Thanks for reading it. hard to believe she is gone now. But we all have our time. Hopefully we can attend to our duty and be remembered fondly

[saphy]

Congratulations on your first place crediting Tate. Very well deserved might I add.
This piece of writing was profoundly emotional and I am humbled that you shared this experience.

Thankyou for the read. It was awesome in it's entirety.

saphy (x)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much it is hard to admit when you make a mistake

[Einstein Noodle]

congratulations on your 1st place Tate! Well done!
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Gene thank you sir merry Christmas

[Einstein Noodle]

same to you my friend..and Happy Safe New Year too!

[Tate Morgan]

Many thanks in getting into Christmas as usual

[Einstein Noodle]

you noticed!!! why thank you sir ...it is a fun, worthwhile sharing amongst us all ... so happy for those who promote it each year ;)