Fast Eddie

If there is one thing can be said of the Race Track it is "That here you will find men at odds with life. Yet a brotherhood of likeness abounds".

Photo compliments of Ben White.

At the track kitchen that morning

I was playing cards with some friends,

There sat Pop Sigh, we called Dead Eye

and Fats Jimmy, who drove the Benz

The fourth man was Wheel Chair Eddie

a boy of eighteen, I'd been told

In a wheel chair, his cross to bear

on each God had broken the mold

Fast Eddie as I called him

suffered from Cystic Fibrosis,

"Outta my way" he'd always say

"don't need no damn diagnosis"

Eddie was cleaning up on us

 took me for two hundred and three

He was the best, wiped out the rest

 taunting all of us with his spree

The others always let him brag

in pity for his condition

Well that might be, but they weren't me

I'm not given to submission

"Eddie, you're a gimp legged freak,"

I'd said giving his chest a tap

"Get off your butt, keep your mouth shut,"

"hey Morgan I don't take your crap"

He waved the money in my face

"you fish bite the same old hook"

"Man" he would say, "you're easy prey

you make it sound like I'm a crook"

"If you'd climb outta that wheelchair

I'd have to teach you some respect"

He'd laugh and jeer, but show no fear,

well now...just what did you expect

But Eddie had such little time 

whereby we all knew his plight

What might I see, if I were he

I'd welcome their taunts to fight

While others made him feel sorry

for the state that he found himself in

Still I could see, he's just like me

though at times I would let him win

I think that's why he'd favored me

 why he'd sought me out most the time

The reason he, played cards with me

in the hope I would drop a dime

I never looked on him as sick

to me he was one of the Klan

He knew I'd say, "Eddie let's play

come on we need another man"

Author's Note

What makes a man a man, respect of his fellows. No matter the infirmity, therein lies our humanity.

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

There is a horse with his name " Fast Eddie Charles" they are twins, Tates' words and that horse, Tates' words and that man are life, they deserve , if you whimper they will demand.
R E S P E C T . Look in their eyes ,they will measure you, they will know if you are deep or just ,top water shallow. That is a man, That is a horse, and you better be "Tied on" if you "Tie"
into either one.

[Little Whisper]

Wonderful poem! :)

[Colin]

I think this poem really reflects true-friendship, and is able to break to boundaries to tell who and who doesn't really mean what they say.

I honestly can't find much wrong with piece, I really did like it.

I'm glad I took my time to read.

[Muse]

This story is a pure testament how real friend ship can allow us to see past handi-caps and/or imperfections. He was just another kid at heart, who wanted to feel challenged...wanted to feel a win...making him no different than someone that suffers from zero afflictions. I think it is people like this...that teach us to value what we we have...what we are. People like Eddie have to make up for their physical retraints, so they do this by adding to their character...yes, we could learn a thing or too from people like him. Make the most of what we have...and be content with what we've got.

[Valentine]

Well now..so you are crazy about David too..he ssent me a E-Mail to tell me the latest he put on about a nursing home as he was checking on my husbands condition..He is the best poet I know and love..he is great..your writing is getting better each time..So no burn out,,just keep them coming..Kathie

[WeekendWriter]

Tate,

This is probably one of my favorites - and that's saying a lot since I love so so many of your works. You are a true example of practice makes perfect. I see such growth in you since reading the very first poem you sent to me... and even THAT one was above average. You are truly talented and will only grow more over time.

[Katie Lynn]

Yet another wonderful attempt at "Paget meter". You never cease to amaze me, Tate. This was a very wonderful narrative, with equally wonderful characters in the story. It brings to mind a man I know at the college I attend. He suffers from a neurological disorder and everyone looks upon him with pity, but look at him as if he is no different from myself. Appearance is not what determines a man, and this poem is great proof of that. Well done!

[Poppie Mira]

One word, GREAT.

[Tomi]

Yet Another classic, there is usually a very thin line between pity and " unintentional looking down on". I love this poem, what a great story..from this i am reminded to encourage people who are in a fragile situation while still showing compassion. A Very interesting character fast eddie seems to have been. Thank you for sharing sir

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Tate,

Greatly enjoyed as usual. An interesting character and an interesting situation. Yes, sometimes people just want to be treated normally, so they fit in just like all the others. Wonderful message.

Very best regards,

Rick

[Mockingbird]

it's good to make an ill person feel just as normal as anyone else. it's true you'll just make him feel bad to know that everyone just felt sorry for him. excellent peek into youth and their dynamic.