Treading in the Steps of the Greats

Treading in the Steps of the Greats

A Poem by Tate Morgan
"

"Good Night Dad"

"
Grandpa Ed and my father Ed Jr
Grandpa Ed and My Father Eddie Jr.


Looking back to my eighteenth year


sitting with gramps in the grandstand


He looked at me, said " listen son


life seldom goes as we planned"




"See your father out on the track


coming 'round in the post parade


You should be proud of him you know


for all the dues that he has paid"




"If you'd said fifteen years ago


that he was the cream of the crop


I'd beat you down, there on the ground


leaving your a*s on the blacktop"





"Not many get knocked down in life


then rise to the top of the hill


As life exacts a price you see


from those willing to pay that bill"





Years later we stood by his grave


my father, my brothers and I


Gramps hadn't shared this forgiveness


before he had to say goodbye





I passed that story to my dad


whose eyes said he understood


For as a man, it was my plan


to help ease his pain if I could





Then when my own father passed


I stood there holding his ashes


About to pour, across the floor


of the track that saw our clashes




In that one defining moment

I whispered a prayer to the Fates

"Please forgive the sins of my youth"

treading in the steps of the Greats













© 2021 Tate Morgan


Author's Note

Tate Morgan
When my father was young he gave my grandfather bloody fits. I know how he regretted it later. As he was so hard on me for fear that I too would take that road. He said to me "Son you scare me to death. Of all my children you are the one that keeps me up at night. I see myself in you and it scares me. Just because you are fearless doesn't mean you are immortal." I came to find he was right. I do not know what drives young men to temp the will of unkind fates. However I lived to tell the tales and my son now is doing the same to me. So there is justice. Last month he came home on a motorcycle to tell me he was tired of just existing and wanted to live a little. He wants to have adventures as I have had. God is paying me back for the sleepless nights I dealt my own father.
When my own father passed a year ago we poured his ashes across the race track where his life began and his race ended. Miss ya dad!

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Featured Review

Brilliant writing and poignant backstory told in your Author’s Note. Such a raw and personal family chronicle...the volatile give and take from fathers to sons, relived...Perfection in form, flow, cadence, rhyme, imagery, allegory. Superb, nostalgic family picture. You are a wise man. Thank you so much for the excellent poetic invitation to share your life. Bravo!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Hi Annette thank you so much Nice to see you today



Reviews

Brilliant writing and poignant backstory told in your Author’s Note. Such a raw and personal family chronicle...the volatile give and take from fathers to sons, relived...Perfection in form, flow, cadence, rhyme, imagery, allegory. Superb, nostalgic family picture. You are a wise man. Thank you so much for the excellent poetic invitation to share your life. Bravo!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Hi Annette thank you so much Nice to see you today
This is a brilliant poem, accompanied by an equally brilliant share of your heritage. Coming from a hopelessly broken family, I find your presentation to be a lesson about how it looks & feels to be in a family that's very connected . . . even tho some of your moments may seem to be described as strife, to me it looks like loving connections becuz people at least cared, instead of being completely disengaged. Your rhyme & rhythm are flawless, and there's a tone of affection thru-out (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Thank you Margie I had a strange life. But I took my lessons as they came.
What a lovely write of your memories.
Nicely done.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Thanks Melinda nice of you to say
Good heartfelt thoughts recognized and shared. Hi Tate, hope all is going well for you and yours.

Chris

Posted 6 Years Ago


Chris

6 Years Ago

I think it gives an example to those in need of paths to choose.
Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

That would be a good thing I wish sometimes i had been born wise and didnt have to earn it through p.. read more
Chris

6 Years Ago

Don't we all...
OMG made me cry. Took me back to my father and son's death. This is truly touching, I haven't been able to write about either of their deaths, not that brave or strong. You did it with both strength and bravery and added beauty

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Awe Pat thank you I truly worried that my family would take offense to this right. Taking it too per.. read more
Patricia

6 Years Ago

you know that's why it made me so sad, every relationship has issues and when they are left open it'.. read more
Getting older makes us think about the errors of our youth and the pain we may have inadvertently caused others in our haste or pride. A good write with an honest ring to it Tate.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Fabian you are righ we think more about it as we age and these moments like deaths mark our path thr.. read more
*Welcome to "Pure Rhymes" Thanks for joining, great to have you...!*

A respectfully done tribute to those around who make us better people... Your G-pa sounded like a very wise man... Best to tread after greats... Not fakes..

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

thank you so much He was a great man
Chase Dylan

6 Years Ago

A most warm welcome, and I have no doubt after reading such an exemplary poem...
Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

many thanks so honored you liked it
Great tribute to your dad... and your granddad!

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Thank you Thomas I have missed you of late
Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

6 Years Ago

I be around, but not often on here!
Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Same here I haven't been round much of late
He looked at me, said " listen son

life seldom goes as we planned"


Wow! Truly Amazing!
And....Loved reading the author's note!

Posted 6 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

6 Years Ago

Thank you for the kindness
Ghania

6 Years Ago

You're welcome.

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7157 Views
75 Reviews
Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on August 9, 2016
Last Updated on April 8, 2021

Author

Tate Morgan
Tate Morgan

Marion , OH



About
Available from Amazon XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I am a product of the Midwest. Raised on the plain states of North America. I was nurtured on a .. more..

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