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..

[Quinn Blackburn]

Parenthood is never easy, but then nothing truly worth having is in my experience. excellent coupling of words and image, and a lovely wordcrafting displaying the pitfalls and tenderness of the parental heart. great work Tate!

[Enigma]

Very emotional read. A realization as such is difficult in itself but i would say that your son is lucky to have you as his dad who knows what to do. Children see their parents as their role models and the influence easily rubs off on them. I'm sure he will grow up to be a good man for you will be there to support him and guide and and most importantly, love him.

A wonderful poem, as always. :)

[Chelsea]

wow. i loved this! very well done and brought tears to my eyes tate. this is now in my favorites! i love your honesty throughout the poem

[Marsha]

Tate, this work resonates with emotional depth. As a parent, I can relate to the pain of knowing that something you did harmed your child; it is a loss of innocence on both sides, as both of you cross one more "never" from your list of absolutes. your choice to use a romantic lyrical style did convey the emotional truth in a way that might help those without that common experience understand your position. The last stanza lent it a philosophical depth that also eased the emotional tension for the reader.
Good work. Glad to have the opportunity to read it.

[Allen Smuckler]

You were certainly right about touching...magnificent write...Tate
It vividly brought to mind the one time in my life, I spanked my son up the stairs. I never felt so badly in all my life and apologized as soon as I came to my senses...I never wrote a poem about that experience (should have), and never laid another hand on my son (I couldn't) except in kindness and love.
This was a very emotional read for me; beautifully and sensitively written...
Allen

[J]

ah tate -- you canna be a parent without experiencing this moment. i have one for each of my children. you know those actors in movies who can make real tears in a scene that is completely contrived? i would have no problem doing that, for i have two memories i carry in my soul that provide adequate response at the drop of a hat.

you are not alone.

[Bud]

Such is the trials of life, preparing us to become humble servants for the better of mankind... Deeply moving piece.

[Treo LeGigeo]

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Very emotional and straight from the heart. I enjoyed the wording and the message, and the fact that this is a true story just hits me harder.

[Lydia Blackwell]

Thank you for this beautiful piece that we could read. The song was a good choice as well. I know where you are coming from on all points here. I have been there. No one is perfect, but when you can learn from your mistakes, you become a better person. And I see that you have:)

[nick mccoy]

That was sad but, i enjoyed the truth in your poem. Bravo!