Fond Memory of the Years

Mike Clevenger

What will they say when we are gone

to tell of the days we have known

May they never measure our worth

by our  life’s failure, to have grown

 

Pray they say that kindness was found

in a world surrounded by pain

That we had given more than took

trying our best, to not be vain

 

I wish my friends to know of me

that I see them as a treasure

The pains of our lives that we share

are the jewels, by which I measure

 

When winters cold seems to descend

from the North Winds that blow a gale

Take heart that you are not alone

then may love, lift and fill your sail

 

When the sands of life all run out

should you pass on before I go

This world will know you had a friend

as over you, my tears will flow

 

Tate

Author's Note

To all who have known the trials of a life beset with tribulation. I would just like to say the things that make life worth living are not to be found in pursuit of wealth. I never remembered anyone fondly for the station they held in life. True wealth for me is held within the hearts of those I have loved and who dared to love me. When I first wrote this piece it lacked an owner, as I waited for the one who might deserve it. Such was the case when my friend passed into memory. Mike died on my wedding anniversary February 13th 2013.
When my house caught fire Mike helped me rebuild it. He was my neighbor. Last week I buried my truck in a ditch. He came over with his tractor and pulled me home. Many times we set outside and cooked on the grill laughed and shared the stories of our painted lives. He was siding his home this summer. However he only finished half of it. So little Tate and I will help Matt his son and Matt Jr finish what my friend could not. I would just say that he left many loved ones behind. Three grandchildren in particular that adored him and a good friend, who counts him above all the rest. I dont know what Mike believed in the way of religeon. I couldn't think of any more fitting music for this piece than Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. That because Mike loved country music and was to me at least the iconic representation of Rooster Cogburn. His was the rough exterior of a man with a heart of gold. He was simply one of the finest men I ever knew, cut from the cloth of
True Grit!

Tate

Reviews

[Rikkevi Rue]

Hey Buddy, why is it that i always feel like somebody reached out and wrapped something around me when I read your poems? As if words transcend the physical universe and permeate right through my computer screen and touch me. I half way don't want to come to your page because i know i will read some new verse of yours that is so sentient, so darned real that it will barge right into my inner world and stir up a bunch of emotion and thoughts. Can't you just stay on your OWN side of the country Morgan!

Of course the poem is of high quality craft and of course the topic is contemporarily salient and of course you as usual have correctly judged your audience and of course you have evoked a major response and of course...

Why the hell do these simple, earnest voicings of yours always keep me coming back here...funny how those musings that come straight from the heart can penetrate right through any barrier whether distance, ethnic differences, educational discrepancies, geographical perspective, etc etc...

The warrior raises his sword and the poet slays him with his pen ;-)

[Tate Morgan]

To this day and through some 20,000 reviews or so I still feel this to be the most endearing I have ever received. I tip my hat to you sir in deference to your kindness.

[Allen Smuckler]

Not that i wasn't touched by your poem, Tate....I was...I am.
But your Author's note, blew me out of the water.....very, very touching.
Your poem reinforced your note in such a beautiful, meaningful, heartfelt way.
It's hard not to feel the emotional attachment and love you have for your son.
Terrific write, Tate.
My biggest regret in my writing career, was not finding the time to write about my experiences of fatherhood. Took lots of pictures and videos....but just didn't write about or to my 3 wonderful children.
allen
kids are more resilient then we think or given them credit for...

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Tate you are a treasure and your poetry only makes you shine even more.

[Priyankaabhilaashi]

Great shot..

[Melobldnfr]

Your poetry puts me in mind of James Calvin Schaap's leading male character, Jan Ellerbrook, in his book TOUCHES THE SKY. If you've not read it, I think you'd like it. And please know this is a compliment. Also, I much appreciate what you've had to say in your author's note. Moments of love enduring are treasures indeed!

[Seashell]

Such moving words are sewn in to your tapestry of life here, for all to see and appreciate. One often wonders what will be said and thought about us when we are gone, but todays' news is tomorrows' history, so every day we should do what we want to do, not what others require of us. We pass this way but once. If we make mistakes.... follow our heart and move on. Life is for living to the full, not for wasting a second wondering.
So glad your son appreciates what you went through after divorce and he can now look forward to a blessed life with you as his Dad and your lovely new wife. What if you had stood still ? Look at all the years of distress and pain that he may have had to witness. No one wants that. Life is good for you now and you deserve it oh Master Poet.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. It may help others xxoo

[Klyn]

One of my favorite songs by Dolly Parton. This is truly heartfelt and inspiring to me as the last 14 months has been more trial than tribulation. Having to tell your children, "No, we can't do dance classes anymore because mommy needs surgery" is almost more than I can take....but I know that they know my love will overpower any obstacles that have and will come our way. Thanks, Tate. As always, you've moved me.

[Hayley]

Yes, I think we all want to make a difference in this world, be known, be appreciated, or just be appreciated for the kind things we do and be measured not by our failures (because everyone makes mistakes) but by our triumphs. A very philosophical and wise write, as usual. You never fail to give me that little extra push to keep on living despite my down days. I also really loved the sands of life, like the sands of time, and the winter winds gale, the times that give us struggle and hardship. Such beautiful images.