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..

[HopelesslyDevoted]

your a good father, you really thinks things through and try to do what is best for everyone, not just yourself. and not all fathers do that. actually most don't.
wonderful poem!

[Sunni Davis]

Sometimes parenting can be the most difficult, overwhelming job in the world. Other times it comes so easily. We want our children to be happy and safe at the same time we want them to learn and grow. Sometimes those two things don't always line up. You seem to be a very good father, one who loves his children completely. Your poem expresses that love and also the pain and sadness you felt while learning this lesson.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

trusting the very core of the advancment of the realationship of the father and son. A knoweledge of yourself and brutal honesty within your ow mind will create the most galant of themes, well done, a fantastic and remembered source of wording,w ell done

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Tate, this is very emotive..Most fathers would not think twice about hurting a child..This caring shows that you are a very caring and understanding person..This child needs your love and acceptance more now than ever but also he does need that correction done in love and with understanding for correction will make him a better man one day..Sunflower

[LivingDeath]

Wow.... That one really hit me deep. This same thing has happened to me with my father. But after the first time I didnt want to take it again so when the second time came, with fear, I swung back. I'm not proud of what I did that night, he ended up with a black eye for a week and a half, but since than, it hasnt happened again. We have been fine and I am not afraid to be around him and I still love him with all my heart as any son feels for their father. So if you are worried that he is hurt from it, he probably remembers it as do I, but has forgave you and left it in the past where it belongs. Things happen in life that we wish we could change, but they happen in they blink of an eye because of the tempers, emotions and commotion in the moment. Than after we hate ourselves for what we did, but to move on from it, and truly get over it, we must not only admit our wrongs to others, but most importantly to ourselves. This is a lesson I have learned in a very hard way this last week the most. But now I am feeling great about myself and love living. You and your son will be fine. Issues come and go like clouds, but the bond between a father and son lasts forever no matter what. Very good write. You just made me give the longest review I have ever gave haha. I'd give this a 1000/100 but it wont let me, so I'll just say it one lat time, very good job on this one.

[Art Sun]

Love is a conquering emotion Tate...it helps us, guides us, and most of all it teaches us the most intimate closeness of itself...whether our son, daugther, wife, motherm father, friend...it does not discriminate, that is why love is so powerful...it creates in us compassion and wisdom that can never be taken away...you my friend are blessed, such as I...for I have weathered the same storm...

Peace and Love my poetic friend...

[Christie Moses]

The most important thing we can teach our children is that we love them no matter what. Life itself is difficult, but with that unconditional love, they can make it through the hardest parts. Beautiful writing. This touched my heart.

[Jasmine]

your poems carry simple truths. It takes a rare person to identify such feelings in someone so much younger than them. Many adults forget that children feel and think just as forcefully as they do; they forget what it was like to be a child. Well done on not being a part of that vast majority. I hope, as I approach adulthood, that I carry my childhood with me, and remember not to patronise or disregard youth.

[Caitlynxoxo]

As per usual, you've managed to make a huge influence in a mere few stanzas, which is what any author can only hope to do :) The poem reads like a story, which i think is what i like most about your writing; how it tells the reader a bit from your own life, something they can imagine perfectly in their heads as they read. And i think the lesson your son was taught through pain and growth was incredible, even though it was quite sad. But you shouldn't blame yourself, as Im sure (although i can't speak for myself) many parents have had to go through the same with their children.

At any rate, thank you so much for sharing this! It really was an ejoyable read and i hope for more poems soon!! :)

xoxo Caitlyn xoxo

[David W Moore III]

We all get caught up in the moment. and we all would do anything not to see our children hurt! nice