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!

My Review

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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

A amazing tale my friend. I liked the photos. We are built by our elders to stand strong. Without good examples. What would we be? Thank you my friend for sharing your words and thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Thank you Coyote We learn dont we from them I mean At 18 we look at them and say god they are stupid.. read more
Coyote Poetry

7 Years Ago

You are right. I became a better Grandfather than father. I learn. Kids grow-up too quickly. I spend.. read more
i am happy to know at this point your son is riding ;}}} .. yeh! we do get some pay back eh!? ... yes! forgiveness is divine ... wonderful tribute to your gramps ..nicely tied in to your poem for your dad ..you should put a link to it in your comments ..the poems are a fine pair says i! .. and "Like a rock" .. perfect .. i didn't get to know my gramps well ..we lived too far ..but i am glad to have known him at all ..and i sure miss my dad ..we also went thru some very bumpy times ..and his forgiveness is a boon to my peace and gratitude for him in his life .. nice one Tate!
E.

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Gene My son is still riding and now has me doing the same I railed against his folly Till I got back.. read more
Einstein Noodle

7 Years Ago

stay safe young man ..keep the rubber on the road ... it is a wonderful habit .. wind in the hair an.. read more
Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Yeah sweet feeling
Personal poems always have that heartfelt element to them. All the better when the narrative can be read and enjoyed by strangers. A good write, and a good read.

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Thank you Robert Always nice to meet new friends
Fantastic as always my friend:)
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Jamestown i always get happy to see you. You are one good soul Thank you
This is a beautiful work of art, excellent job on this one!

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Hi katie thank you I hope you are well
Beautiful! :D

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Thank you momzilla I awoke with this fresh on my mind yesterday as with most of my works they are wr.. read more
MomzillaNC

7 Years Ago

I’ve often been inspired by dreams too. Inspiration is such a mystery, sometimes… fragile and de.. read more
Bloody wonderful writing. Such feelings so expertly expressed.

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Why thank you clive So nice to hear from you today. It is strange how we all share the same things i.. read more
Such a beautiful story, well written with kindness and love. THIS is poetry of the highest caliber in my estimation. Bravo Tate! ~Sharon

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Thank you Sharon I am honored so honored.
Your friend
Tate
and it`s a hard road to travel,i know my father and grand father worked very hard
and always got back up when life hit them hard,i am proud to be there son
as i know you are..touching write

Posted 7 Years Ago


Tate Morgan

7 Years Ago

Thank you Ron. being a man ion many ways is a simple thing we are here to suffer lol
 wordman

7 Years Ago

i certainly believe that tate,it`s what transforms you

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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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