Tatertots Blues

Now most would say that I was wrong advising him this way Politically incorrect to ask he stand and pay

Southpaw Tate age 9

My son came home from school one day

worried bout what I'd say

A bully had been taunting him

he'd tortured him all day

_____________________________________________ 

Now I could see the truth in this

boys tend to act not think

Unlike their female counterparts

they are the missing link

___________________________________________ 

For boys it’s all about the show

coming into their own

There is no escape for the child

who finds he stands alone

_________________________________________ 

Four years of Karate classes

all for one afternoon

When he'd have to stand like a man

called out from the saloon

__________________________________________ 

Next day he ran home all-alight

black-eye on one side too

His smile said he had stood his ground

friendships would start anew

____________________________________________

Next day they both trod side by side

beaten, battered and bruised

Tate along with his new best friend

each sporting black eyed blues

 

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Author's Note

My son got into little scraps and he said it was because they teased him calling him Tatertot LOL He came to like that name as it wore on him. I could spend all night trying to explain the behavior of boys.Truth is there is no reason or excuse for us lol.

Reviews

[Lively]

Very true and awesome poem. Now-a-days such problems are very common among the children. You gave the correct advice. "GOD HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES"......

[Lost, n'MT]

Wow, Tate. This piece really blew me away, and I just re-read it two more times after saying this. I am practically speechless as what to say, this is simply brilliantly depicted. This poem really speaks volumes. This is just simply fantastically written, and I am very forward to looking forward to reading more of your writing. Excellently done! Thank you for sharing.

[Lena M. P.]

Bullies are bullies and sometimes you have to just stand your ground. We also used to tell our son, "Don't start the fight, but if it finds it's way to you, don't back down." Because truth is, you stand up to bullies and they tend to back down. They don't want to pick on the fighters; just those who won't fight back. Very good ode to the coming of manhood.

[Im His Daughter]

Sometimes you just have to stand ground. I did but I did it without fighting. Not saying it's right or wrong to fight just defending would be the best way. Stay on the defence & not be the offender. School has a no tolerance for bullying, my son was bullied a month or so ago in gr 9 he stood ground elbowed the kid back, the other kid got suspended & my son got an afternoon suspension for not walking away.. I'm glad he stood up for himself. Although I said he just needed to walk away. I see both sides. I just said next time walk away... Great Poem.

[KAREN]

Awesome write! Sometimes you just have to fight back!

[Valentine]

Tate, having had the good fortune of having 3 older and one younger brother..believe me I know boys..Having 4 sisters too I was doubly blessed..Schools today do not condone bullying,,Katihe

[Hayley]

Wow that is so truthful and interesting that they actually became friends. I think it's because now they respected each other because of the fight. Who knows, maybe it's a bonding thing :)
I think a lot of the time, and sometimes sadly, that physical fighting is the answer to make a bully stop. Once you stand your ground, they don't want to mess with you any more, because then you're not vulnerable anymore.
From a poetic standpoint, I think that this was written well, as always. At the end, I had a picture in my mind of two best friends with black eyes walking down the street smiling. Throughout the entire poem, actually, I had this great picture in my mind. This leaves me with a feeling of true wisdom and a hearty laugh :) Great job!

[Matthew Kult]

Great write. Such truth

Matthew

[MAC]

~LOL~ Tate, it is amazing how you write about your kids. As much as I have written over the years not many are about my kids. They are not fond of being "picked apart" in writing ~L~ Anyway, excellent write and I always enjoy your folksy style of poetry.

[ice]

"Self-defence…. is the only honourable course where there is unreadiness for *self-immolation."
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
(* to set ones self on fire)

I believe he is saying that defending ones self is an honorable thing, like you have tried to instill in your child.

But I think he also warns, to not take physical violence lightly, to use it when the mode of mood calls for serious thought, and action... then I believe he would have pursued friendship with his offender.

I believe your son was in that kind of serious predicament, and he had no choice but to do what he had to do.

It seems both boys learned a lesson..you did well in guiding, I am glad things turned out ok.

I think Gandhi would have approved of how the situation came out in the end.

I loved the poem.
Namaste