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.

[Tony]

This is a fine tribute but more than that-- it is filled with good advice to take to heart. Knowledge learned from experience-- thank you for sharing that here.

[Revery]

If we tried to boil life down to a handful of concepts I would have to speak up for love through grace, whether the love of lovers, family or friends. It the only way to survive any crucible or relate in a fluent flow. It's rare and pure and some of the best of life. Very true poem, nice write.

[Irfan Bashir Shah]

A beautiful tribute to a friendship that transcends the barriers of existence itself....
Tate, this is the best piece you have written till now.... Every word has a depth beyond measure....
I for once know how it feels to lose a friend... the world just doesn't make any sense... Everything seems to be a blur.....
You have truly immortalized Mike and your friendship through this beautiful masterpiece....
I'm glad that i read it.... It's undoubtedly one of the best poem i have ever read....
May his soul REST IN PEACE......
You take care, friend!

[Morgane Soustre]

It's really beautiful and moving. Sorry for your friend. It's never easy to lose someone you love.

[Levi Levin]

Very nice piece Tate, a true poem from the depths of the heart I see. The Author's Note along with it was an amazing not also and I enjoyed the music. Thanks for sharing it with me....I am glad to have you as a friend.

Levi

[Jack...]

Beautiful Tate, just beautiful. The sadness is felt but is outweighed by the friendship.

[Marie]

What a wonderful tribute you have paid to your friend. I am so sorry he died, and so glad he had a friend like you to remember him.

[tynamite]

Wow this is so sweet and fitting!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

When I die, if I have but a few friends come to mourn my passing, I shall leave this earth a wealthy man, for there is no greater treasure than friendship and no more lasting bond. It's worth cannot be measured by silver or gold for where would we buy another heart to understand us and where could we purchase another soul?

[Carolann Dowsett]

So lovely you have a beautiful heart and it is revealed through your poems. Yes let us be remembered for our love and kindness and not for the station we held in life.