Life's Laments

My granddaughter Payton and I contemplating the mysteries of the universe.

Winds of change follow where I go

sirens cry o'er the sea

For what I wished I'll never know

songs they sing all speak to me

 

Had I missed a chance at ardor

to play, to run or to roam

Perhaps if I'd traveled farther

somewhere else I might call home

 

These the thoughts of a selfish heart

from love I could not render

Once loneliness had torn apart

all feelings that were tender

 

The hallowed heart I’d wished to find

most this life spent running to

Was never known to be too kind

longed for what it never knew

 

I spent this life a burning flame

forged eternally on the run

I have only myself to blame

For the things that I have done

 

These truths of life come slow to some

lessons I learned the hard way

It’s not the night that one runs from

it’s light of our darkest day

 

My wife has settled me a bit

such a handsome girl is she

She has my heart and well knows it

a better man lives in me

 

Author's Note

I am forever looking back upon the road I traversed. I don't always like what I see. But I have for reasons unknown to me always been able to see the better angel of my nature. I look into the hopeful eyes of my granddaughter and see the beautiful soul of innocence. It is for that hope that I strive to be a better man.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

What a wonderfully sweet and honest write. I saw a few of my grandchildren yesterday. I don't get to see them often and even less soon, as they are moving to Alaska. So I treasure every minute. And what better catalyst to drive change in a human heart and soul than love? Great write, I enjoyed. F.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Fabian . The depths of love I feel for my grandchildren it’s hard to explain. But of all my friends here I think you understand it best.

[Victim of cyber bully a..]

I can say that a picture can speak more then your words. I can sense strong connection and two souls at arms of love. Sometimes we should believe it life is really bliss. Then your words. I can see you got quiet smooth style and your expression are free but also very precise. There is your confession and reflection maybe something should be done better. But the end can have sweet taste. This is very good writing.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much

[Cherrie Palmer]

Isn't it amazing how true love makes us more. The desire to be what they need kicks in.

[Tate Morgan]

I’m not sure who needs it worse? She or I? But I know we both love each other

[Cherrie Palmer]

I know that's true and completely beautiful. :)

[Relic]

I've never been happy with the road behind me but perhaps I just don't see the gifts and good times I've had enough. Great writing here, Tate. Children make parents see through a clearer lens sometimes.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you relic. I doubt many of us are proud of our past. We just go on and try to be better people

[EileenMarie]

You have a very eloquent style. Beautiful poem with great imagery. Looking back causes me great pain still but I am hopeful some day that will change. Thanks for read request I truly enjoyed this!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Eileen I am one of those who o lay seem to learn and change the hard way I am hoping one day to overcome that

[Einstein Noodle]

some laments we don't want to hold .. others are a gentle pain .. love the rendition of the song .. with the strings i think it better than the young Bobby's :) we fall in love and all those old songs make sense ... we are hurt and its so crystal ...your 7th verse seems a little out of kilter for me .. "fun" seems to lessen something ...perhaps your intent !? this.. "It’s not the night that one runs from
it’s light of our darkest day" and your closing verse say it all for me .. well done says i! ...
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Gene i agree with you See what you think of the rewrite of the seventh verse

[Einstein Noodle]

yeh!! i think it fits well! love ya bro!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you love you too thanks for the help on this one

[Jane Winters Rogers]

A lovely poem Tate...written straight from your heart....great insight of the pure soul that is alive in each of us...I really like this one...

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you so much Jane

[MomzillaNC]

It's a great secret of life, isn't it? The real secret to finding ourselves, is to surround ourselves with people who make us want to be a better person. That effort… that journey is so much more worth the taking than pursuing the baser desires most of us want to overcome. Great poem, as usual… simply wonderful. And, that photo is so very sweet.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you I guess i see my purpose in my granddaughter the next stage of my life will be spent playing with her

[MomzillaNC]

Mine is my son. IDK if I'll be around for grandchildren. But, I intend to make the most of this time.

[Tate Morgan]

Well my son is 19 now and in school but he comes home weekends I doubt i will ever know a sweeter joy than I did with him. Oh the one job I had that i was best at was being a father.

[MomzillaNC]

My boy is 10. I'm 51. He's been told he's not allowed to make me grandma until he finishes grad school! :D

[Tate Morgan]

hahahh im 55

[Tate Morgan]

Ie been doing videos of a few of my works of late

[MomzillaNC]

My son wants to video everything. Drives me nuts! LOL. But, it'll be a nice thing to leave behind for your family.

[Tate Morgan]

yeah i have been converting my poetry to video of late have done maybe 4 of them like this one I have had some trouble learning the trade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_O4ro4Bybg

[MomzillaNC]

I know how to do it. I just haven't the inclination. I'm more a behind the lens kinda gal.

[Tate Morgan]

yeah i am too i take many pictures i prefer black and white

[MomzillaNC]

I take lots of black and white photos. Some of my photos are posted on this site, along with some of other visual arts pieces.

[Tate Morgan]

i have so many i cant post them but i save them for posterity and save over a 1000 on facebook '

[MomzillaNC]

I've probably written that many or more. Most are lost forever. Several journals ended up in the trash when my mom found them when we moved from Florida. And, as I said, I never really thought my poetry was any good; so, I didn't make an effort to keep up with them and many have just been misplaced or lost forever.

[Tate Morgan]

i only have 200 poems or so i was talking about the photos those i have thousands of

[MomzillaNC]

Oh. Same here. I really have no idea how many photos I have. And lots and lots of drawings, paintings, and sketches.

[Tate Morgan]

i found i could upload hundreds at a time to facebook for safekeeping and also then set all my family and extended family as contributors so they could add their family photos all to the sAME ALBUM THEN ADD Comments to them that give them value long after each contributor passes away

[MomzillaNC]

Well, the Cloud is also a good place to store your stuff.

[Tate Morgan]

yeah but i wanted it available for all my relatives and interconnected with all their children and all who are to come forever

[Tate Morgan]

I posted 440 pictures there of my fathers side going back to the 1800s there

[MomzillaNC]

Ain't Technology grand?

[Tate Morgan]

yeah and it automatically makes the connections for me to them all if you are on facebook take a look it is really neat https://www.facebook.com/tate.morgan1/media_set?set=a.10152154072143586.750163585&type=3

[MomzillaNC]

Cool! That URL doesn't work for me though. Did you glance at the few things I've posted on this site in my profile photos?

[Tate Morgan]

i will look

[melissa]

This amazing poem tate thank you for sharing your poems keep up the great work and keep them coming

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Melissa

[melissa]

You're welcome

[Aura Inanna]

This poem is so clean and pure, it flows like water down the page. I'm so happy to read about such a connected family. I absolutely love my family, and they hold me together. It makes me sad to hear about people who dislike or are estranged from their family. But the cute, quiet love embodied by this poem is one of my most favorite things.
Thanks for the great read.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you I think I am truly fortunate to have the family I now have