The Blade

I know someday he'll cut himself as boys always seem to do Mixing his blood, with tears and mud to each owner it ever knew

My rendition of Drake Cooper and his dog Dodger. Drawn on 24"x18" canvas with graphite.

My grandfather was a marine

who made us think he could spit nails

Forged in the war, baked to the core

a man honed from his life’s travails

From him came my own father

whom then worked sun up to sunset

Driving horses, on race courses

of a life I'll never forget

 

My grandfather had owned a knife

where it came from I'll never know

Held by this man, whose own life span

had never bent nor been laid low

He passed that knife to my father

who in turn then gave it to me

And through our blood, the dirt and mud

it had bound itself to all three

 

I met Drake when he was seven

a troubled, angry, lonesome, child

This wondrous brain, who hid his pain

in a heart that was brash and wild

He'd touched my soul in such a way

I couldn't help but feel his pain

So unafraid, I gave that blade

forging a link to my own chain

 

I know someday he'll cut himself

as boys always seem to do

Mixing his blood, in tears and mud

to each owner it ever knew

I wish I could have been Drake's dad

so sad that I wasn't the one

I hoped he'd see, this gift from me

was meant from a father to son

Drake and Dodger

Drake and i father son night at his school 

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Author's Note

Drake and I have had a bond that was as strong as any father and child. I passed my knife onto Drake because he would appreciate it. I had hoped whenever he held it he would think of the bond between us. Then last Christmas my own son Tate gave me a new knife a Winchester of such exquisite beauty. Tate and I have always been extremely close. When I die, as I will, I hope this blade helps my son to remember the love that forged our bonds through life. May they hold to his heart long after I'm gone. For Drake may he always know with what Love I always think of him and hope for his future. Drake will always be as loved by me as my own blood. He is to me one of my own.

Thank you Fabian for finding the perfect song for this poem.

Reviews

[Veronica Chandler]

This moving piece reminds me of just how profound an impact we have on the lives of one another; truly there is no measure sufficient to judge how a small and simple gesture can and does change the very fabric of people. Something which may seem a kind and moving gesture, may in the end, turn out to change the very course of a persons life. That simple act can grow exponentially and reach far beyond our wildest imaginings. Even our highest hopes for someone could easily be surpassed by the actual good, in the end created by a simple, thoughtful act of kindness. Those that came before us blazed the trail and made the way clearer for all those to come afterwards. I doubt your grandfather could have imagined how his legacy touched the life of someone he would never know.

""Every boy that has a father missing from his life, has a hole inside his soul the size and shape of his father. The mother can raise a good citizen, an educated man with good ethics and values, but he will always have that hole inside his soul; the size and shape of his father."
~Oprah~

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Veronica.It didn't go unnoticed by me that Oprah agrees with Mark Ric and I. Happiness is a joyous child.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I tell you … not having a father in your life leaves such a void. I would think this void is even greater for a son. It's really a shame. I hope that him having you in his life gives Drake a sense of wholeness that, I feel, can only come from having a father. Your gift, your heart, your love and compassion should touch Drake deeply. I hope he knows he's loved. Well penned.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you yeah he knows I do think he is scared by not having a father thanks for reading this

[Trip]

I just returned to this site after being away for three years. This is the first poem I have read since coming back. Found it on my feed. I remembered your name, and I could recall enjoying your work, as it was among the highest of skill out the the people who congregated my friends list. Anyway, I enjoyed this piece a lot. And I totally understand it. It takes me back....

My own Dad and I have no relationship, but I carry a small knife that I bought, and I got it because it's the same one that he had years ago. My grandfather who passed away bought me a knife that I still keep on my desk at home. And one day one of my knives will be passed on to my own son if I have one. Additionally, I will pass on my sword to that Son, or to the man who marries my daughter when she is old enough. There is such a rich tradition and meaning behind the passing on of a knife or some sort of bladed weapon/tool. It's primitive, in a way. Something natural, like our bones. To me, it's almost like passing on a literal piece of ourselves and our history. Ah. I'm rambling. Anyway, great work here. I deeply enjoyed this. Very much so.

[Tate Morgan]

Hello trip thank you. It is such a simple primitive thing as you say. The passing of responsibility as well as the acknowledgment that you assume this boy will one day become a man. It is the approval of the adult for the child that lends the child self-worth and reinforces his desire to be a good man. Now nine years later I am still friends with this boy who is now a young man. I’m sure he still treasures that knife

[Napoleon has returned]

thank you for submitting these art to my contest, goodluck

[Tate Morgan]

You are welcome thank you

[wordman]

touching and profound,we all need to be like this!

[Tate Morgan]

Sometimes it's easy to see why a little boy needs a father thank you

[wordman]

my pleasure

[B]

Deep and dark
A knife yet resembles so much more

Distant memories and pieces of people we carry on our journey

[Tate Morgan]

Yes but to a man it is a right of passage to be given such a thing .A treasure for any boy

[B]

I know the feeling
this is quite exquisite

[Einstein Noodle]

when i was around 5 yrs old we lived in Oklahoma. i remember a lot of things tho so young. one is of a sailor friend of my dad's that came to visit and he tried to show me mumbly peg and the arts of throwing .. i did slice my finger a good one and no one made much of a fuss about it ;) i have one of my grandfathers knives... inlaid with a dragon of pearl on purple .. its a switch blade and who could ask for more?!
your mix of poetry, story telling and song simply never disappoints me .. how fortunate for Drake to have been welcomed into your family .. :) nice job Tate!
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Einstein Yes I also gave Drake a Harley Davidson switch blade a bit later what more could a boy want?

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness ... other than the dream i can't think of a thing! .. well done sir!!
E.

[realmwriter]

I know this tradition well. I too was passed a knife as a child, my grampa gave it to me. Sure wish I still had it. Kinda feel guilty that I don't. But I can't go back and find it, nor ask my grampa passed, where I might have put it. But I'm sure he understands, that I was just a kid who didn't know how to be a man. Great piece Tate. I really enjoyed this one.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks man I wish you could find your knife it does have meaning and know what it is like to feel attached through it to a loved one

[realmwriter]

I don't need it to feel attached. My grampa is still there but I would still like to be able to find. Your welcome Tate.

[Lyn Anderson]

Personally, I do not believe that blood is always thicker than water, and sometimes the bonds we form with people who are not our blood, given freely and unconditionally, are stronger than ones we are obligated to make with our "relatives". He knows you are his and he is yours.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I think you are right He knows as do I

[timthy]

The bond between you and Drake is evident and i know he appreciated it and realizes the bond that it represents. Just a small token can span a myriad of emotions...Drake is of your own blood , for he has been given the gift of the unconditional love of a stranger through the avenue of a friendly gesture...

[Tate Morgan]

I agree he needs a father i wish i could have been that for him. I think Veronica said it best
read moreI agree he needs a father i wish i could have been that for him. I think Veronica said it best
""Every boy that has a father missing from his life, has a hole inside his soul the size and shape of his father. The mother can raise a good citizen, an educated man with good ethics and values, but he will always have that hole inside his soul; the size and shape of his father."
~Oprah~

[Tate Morgan]

""Every boy that has a father missing from his life, has a hole inside his soul the size and shape of his father. The mother can raise a good citizen, an educated man with good ethics and values, but he will always have that hole inside his soul; the size and shape of his father."
~Oprah~

[AprilRN1210]

you are giving my heart strings some hearty tugging on this evening sir.. jeez.. this is so moving.. It really touches me when others "see" what most people don't take the time to.. Sometimes people just NEED someone to BE there for them, show they care, let them know that they MATTER.. I really loved this one too.. so heartwarming and tender.. Yes sir, I am officially a fan..

[Tate Morgan]

As i am of you. Yours is a truly genuine heart thank you I dedicated my second book to Drake when his grandmother died

[AprilRN1210]

awww, well thank you for those kind words.. I appreciate them.. That was very sweet. I am sure that meant a LOT to him..

[Tate Morgan]

You are welcome I am sure he will find me as we saw this coming and promised each other we would find one another when he was old enough he loves me so but no more than i do him

[AprilRN1210]

I am sure.. like you said in the first poem I reviewed tonight.. you have a way of coming home:)