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

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

lol no excuse -I agree. You know I don't like telling children of either sex to fight , but one cannot let someone continue to bully them and boys think a bit differently than girls - as you pointed out..I think the advice was right and the fact the boys became friends seems to show that boys really do think differently - sometimes we just can't back down from a fight .
The poem is sing-song .. flows naturally ...you have that gift . Love the last line 'sporting black-eyed blues'.
Much enjoyed this .

Chloe

[SensuelDeMot]

This epic tale so well depicted through your words. I can visualise each step to your son finding confidence in himself.
As for whether its right to fight or not, Boys will be Boys...I guess we look to mother nature...young males of all species fights with others their age readying themselves for their own life challenges...why should it be different for humans. I object when weapons are used or its not one on one...then thats bullying, not a fair fight.

[Lily Mae]

A great write on the wonderful moments that define us in our childhood and our defining moments as a parent.. :) x

[David W Moore III]

you are such a fount of wisdom. your children are lucky to have such a father.

[Celeste21]

If you don't stand up for yourself who will??

[Sunni Davis]

I'd do the same thing if my son was being bullied. He needs to stand up for himself, so I think you did the right thing, as parent. I love the way you fit this anecdote into this poem. Its seems to be made for this rythme and rhyme. Nicely done Tate!

[A.r. Bazian]

wow... *Applause* wow

the theme got me so hooked up i could pay attention to anything else but the feeling that aspired this!

[WeekendWriter]

I like this a lot. I hear the 'little boy voice' of the man who wrote it. The work feels a little different from your usual style, but just as touching and emotional. In my opinion, you have grown as a poet.

[Veronica Chandler]

Well this is just a beautiful piece! And the first of yours I have read so far which didn't have me weep! I am laughing with delight and in my head are the words, "Boys will be boys." Being a Tom boy most of my life, I know the feeling all to well, but alas we grow up and learn to stand our ground. I so enjoyed this little glimpse into the father guiding his son and rightly so. I don't want to say that encouraging fighting is right but, it certainly was the right thing for your son at the right time. The line, "Tate along with his new best friend each sporting black eyed blues" had me laughing out loud alone in my living room." Simply delightful Tate.

[Thea Fuentebella]

"There is no escape for the child
who finds he stands alone" --my favorite lines:)
well i'm also boyish this way coz i do fight back if i've been wronged. maybe it's because i was at the bottom of the food chain when i was in high school and people took me for granted. so now i became stronger and i demand respect.
sometimes i wonder why boys and girls act differently...we're all just the same species anyway..it's media i guess.
anyways, i especially liked the easy flow of this poem..and the reality and simplicity and the fact that it's a common thing in life.. written very well. WOW