The Reaper

 Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. Mark Twain

 

I stopped to see my father today

as he lay on his third deathbed

The Reaper visited two times before

but my father refused to play dead

 

"Son he said. Come sit with me

for I feel it my duty to tell

It's not that I have found Heaven

but more over I didn't find Hell"

 

I suppose when a man nears his end

he fears for his immortal soul

My father thought the sins of his youth

would reap him a horrible toll

 

To all of us who have known success

from labors and pains endured

It isn't the end that fills our hearts

it's by the journey that we are cured

 

For a man knows nothing if not that

as he learns from life's long way

Through troubles faced and overcome

strength and character grows each day

It doesn't matter which God you believe

nor which Heaven your bus runs to

Grow your faith in your fellow man

and perhaps he can go there too

 

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Author's Note

Out from the black of eternal night shone a ray of light!

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

How can I review, when you start out with Mark Twain staring me down? Will Rodgers he would of been easier,
or a wild thought Zappa, "Joe's Garage". You leave no room Fathers yours and mine have the edge, they could read,and not just books,Men , they would measure,the moment, the time, the gap in the man at the end of the hand,pressure, depth of eye,their force was knowing of the part out of line, by grace they would live and accept from others what they would not from you. The Bar was high for all, but we placed ours in our fathers will.

[Tate Morgan]

How apropos that you would mention the hand pressure i remember teaching little Drake the boy I adore to shake hands I told him how a man judges anothers character in a hand shake. We went to his school then that day to meet his teacher he shook his hand. The teacher turned to me and said Man what a grip this boy has. Lol The smile on little Drakes face was priceless!

[lee von cleef]

lesson they don't teach anymore.

[Tate Morgan]

How true I remember after that his other saying I never knew drake needed a man in his life till you came along up till then he pushed every man who got near me away suddenly you come along and he can't get enough I remember at seven him in the other room telling her if you don't marry Tate you will suffer my wrath lol he said you don't get it he is the only man whom loves me the rest all talk to me to get to you Tate comes here to see me as much as you how true that was

[Tate Morgan]

Children know they see right through facades they say what they feel

[Sheila Kline]

Quite amazing....it is deeply spiritual, and discusses an admission of one's own limitations in life and when facing death.
We are responsible for our actions, and it is when we meet the Grim Reaper that all shall be weighed on the scales of life...Heaven or Hell....eternal salvation, or eternal damnation. We do have a choice, and our choice often does greatly affect those we love, as you point out.
A really indepth, wonderful write Tate! I like to see this kind of write from you!

[Austin Smith]

=[] Simply stunning. I have no other words. I am speechless.

[theunknownchick]

I totally love your poems! They're amazingg. Great Jobb ♥♥

[Lizanne]

You actually have a tad bit of a dark side and that is good. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson would have loved to sing this lyrical poetic work. Come to think of it a few of the rock bands would also. Deep, dark and telling of a lack of fortitude on a father's part. The mother is the heart of the family, but the father is the one that generally provides the stability, strength and protection. Especially for a son. Usually what a child sees throughout most of their life is what they tend to become as adults. But sometimes the child is wiser than the erring parent. They see the grief and hurt that was done and swear to strive for a life that is just the opposite. To know that you have traveled the wrong road and now the bus is ready for your final destination, but your can't face the death that you deserve, denotes the realization that you can not premeditate sin or the forgiveness of it. To believe you can wait for the
death-bed to ask forgiveness for a life that you plotted to live in a certain unacceptable style is totally outside what God promises. To have the strenght, character and love for your family is more valuable than anything else. That is what bonds a family and the substance upon which they thrive. Everyone stumbles and has a few faults, but the man's true measure comes when upon his deathbed he says "I have fought the battle as best I could and would have loved to done more for you. I have to leave my most valuable possessions and pray they will be safe until we meet again. God please protect the jewels of my heart, my family." He knows where he is bound, with happiness anticipates his arrival and when his ticket for the jouney arrives, it is already marked paid in full, with the destination already punched...Heaven. You so aptly have pointed the way in faith to your fellow man. Look how much substance you have created to leave upon youe departure. Your essense for your fellow man flows throughout your works. You, have yet to fail in your writings.

[Georgia Gypsy]

I truely agree with you on growing faith in man...or at least human kind. I do think if people acted more for each other instead of being selfish it would cure a huge ammount of the pain in the world. I really enjoyed reading this...my own father has knocked on death's door a few times and the SOB keeps on kicking....to make life miserable for the rest of us is what he tell us....a merciful god would put him out of our misery....

Great poem though,,,,even though it sent me into a rant of my own...sorry about that tate....:( please forgive me....
k

[Sean M. Addams]

very nicely done like the religious tones in this ... makes it one powerful read.... nice job on this!!!

[Stacey Watts]

This is such a powerful piece. I like the last four lines they bring your thoughts together with clarity. Their is alot of emotion that seems sad yet angry as well. Excellent piece.