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.
My Review
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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~
Posted 7 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
7 Years Ago
Thank you Veronica.It didn't go unnoticed by me that Oprah agrees with Mark Ric and I. Happiness is .. read moreThank you Veronica.It didn't go unnoticed by me that Oprah agrees with Mark Ric and I. Happiness is a joyous child.
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.
Posted 1 Year Ago
1 Year Ago
Thank you yeah he knows I do think he is scared by not having a father thanks for reading this
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.
Posted 1 Year Ago
1 Year Ago
Hello trip thank you. It is such a simple primitive thing as you say. The passing of responsibility.. read moreHello 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
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.
Posted 5 Years Ago
5 Years Ago
Thank you Einstein Yes I also gave Drake a Harley Davidson switch blade a bit later what more could .. read moreThank you Einstein Yes I also gave Drake a Harley Davidson switch blade a bit later what more could a boy want?
5 Years Ago
oh my goodness ... other than the dream i can't think of a thing! .. well done sir!!
E.
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.
Posted 6 Years Ago
6 Years Ago
Thanks man I wish you could find your knife it does have meaning and know what it is like to feel a.. read moreThanks 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
6 Years Ago
I don't need it to feel attached. My grampa is still there but I would still like to be able to find.. read moreI 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.
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.
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...
Posted 6 Years Ago
6 Years Ago
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~
6 Years Ago
""Every boy that has a father missing from his life, has a hole inside his soul the size and shape o.. read more""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~
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..
Posted 6 Years Ago
6 Years Ago
As i am of you. Yours is a truly genuine heart thank you I dedicated my second book to Drake when hi.. read moreAs i am of you. Yours is a truly genuine heart thank you I dedicated my second book to Drake when his grandmother died
awww, well thank you for those kind words.. I appreciate them.. That was very sweet. I am sure that .. read moreawww, well thank you for those kind words.. I appreciate them.. That was very sweet. I am sure that meant a LOT to him..
6 Years Ago
You are welcome I am sure he will find me as we saw this coming and promised each other we would fin.. read moreYou 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
6 Years Ago
I am sure.. like you said in the first poem I reviewed tonight.. you have a way of coming home:)