Set to Roam

Great Grandpa Ben Morgan.

There are some men, who can't sit still

wandering souls who don't fit in

You'll find they trek the globe at will

breaking the hearts of next of kin

 

They range the field to ford each flood

wander mountains and sail the seas

Theirs is the curse of Gypsy Blood

so averse to a life of ease

 

Many I knew were brave and true

as their deeds and manners attest

Don't let them get attached to you

as they never know how to rest

 

They find no solace in the old

forever searching for the new

Theirs is a life both tough and bold

although of friends they share but few

 

They blindly search the noon day sun

for a future that's now their past

Then think of all they could have done

when forced to face the truth at last

 

There was a time when this was me

desire of rest yet never done

A drifting soul upon life's sea

of adventures I loved each one

 

We knew no peace, nor settled mind

having nowhere that we called home

Never to know what we might find

each of our soul's was set to roam

 

Author's Note

I don't know what it is, sets a mans soul afire. But I was one of those souls who wandered the world searching for adventure. I still roam the lower 48 as if they were my own back yard. Will my poor restless heart ever find peace?

Reviews

[Penlady]

...and in heart, I think, still are. As I said wandering souls are fortunate to have an anchor of love holding from some place or heart that allows the soul to dip and dart and then come home again. We are all special in this life and I truly believe the needs of some are met by others created for the occasion. Your talent creates delicious vignettes for the reader to dine upon and your food for thought is strictly gourmet and rich in everything.
This poem and the wonderful flashes of your life through the black and white photos, made me cry. I feel as though I'm watching a fulfillment transpire and feel so full of gratitude for the experience. You and yours are such beautiful people, both physically and soulwise. I received my TATE books from Amazon today and can hardly wait to begin reading.
Set To Roam seems the culmination of one period in your life and just the beginning of so much more. Hold on I think its going to be even better.

[Emrick]

Your poems carries real,strong messages and they teach a lot.

[David Lewis Paget]

This has a nice, easy flow, Tate, and the sentiments expressed I relate to. I was never able to settle in one place after emigrating from Britain to Australia. Once that first move was made, that restless feeling became the backdrop to my life. My son counted 22 schools that he attended while growing up - (though it didn't do him much harm. He learnt more about different places than most kids). Even today I get the urge to go back to China, where I could live very well on the Australian pension at 6 yuan to the dollar. The only thing I lack is youth.

[John Phoenix Hutchinson..]

Fab poem Tate and one of the best I have read on here. Even if I could not have related to this as much as I do, I still believe I would of found it a top piece as its such an insight into a wise but restless soul.

[David Scott]

Loved this! Your wise and talented. Hard to look in the mirror and see the truth there. Your poetry really seems to mirror so many truths with just the right amount of "light". You will help people better themselves when they read your work. Lifting my broken soul even now. :-)

[Marie]

A true Romney must travel forever...he has no home...

[Kristallo]

Your unfailing skill of capturing the inner tenderness of the roving human soul is aptly expressed here. I felt impassioned by the smooth delivery and moment-to-moment realism that you so candidly and soulfully penned in that beautifully simplistic way that I so admire in your writing. I felt I really related to this one;

Many I knew were brave and true
as their deeds and manners attest
Don't let them get attached to you
as they never know how to rest

These words speak a tender truth to me, as i've often felt that my soul begins to feel unsettled when I stay in any place too long- there's so much to live up to, so many places to go and things to experience, how can one be truly happy in stagnation? You have written this remarkably and beautifully and I very much enjoyed it, as always, Tate. Great poem.

[Asb]

what to express
am in awe right now....
such a true and beautiful write

[Tomi]

Beautiful in every way, loved every single line! thank you :)

[Ama May Cooper]

I can realate to this piece, i would find great joy in these men you speak of. The need for adventure to sleep under a differnt sun each night is one that holds true..... i have been anchored to a male of different taste and enjoyments and i fear that i am far to much a wild spirit for him to deal with for to long.

[TL Boehm]

I think I'm related to these men. Not that I am a gypsy - but many of my kin had that angsty, wandering spirit.