One Father to Another

Behind those eyes then rose a tear the first blood I had ever drew From the depths of his tiny soul where innocence bid me adieu

Son Tate

Each day my son with thoughtful eyes

looked up to me through his laughter

Knowing I would be kind and wise

from that time and ever after

 

 

Once bitten from pain of divorce

I had shed teardrops of my own

From depths my boy had drug me back

he had never left me alone

 

 

Then came the moment I had feared

when my temper did hurt my son

Deep like the pain from my divorce

left me to ask, "what have I done"

 

 

Behind those eyes there rose a tear

the first blood I had ever drew

From the depths of his tiny soul

where innocence bid me adieu

 

 

Fearing grief would hinder his sleep

and not knowing what I should say

I looked to find him in slumber

there beside our picture he lay

 

 

Asleep in pain his eyes had closed

I felt my heart begin to moan

A sole tear lie upon his cheek

where I left a few of my own

So now whenever I am asked

to bless him with my permission

I think on what I lost that day

when I forced on him submission

Author's Note

Whenever my son asks for my permission I always ask myself now, who will it hurt if I say yes? If the answer is only myself I always say yes. A lesson I learned the hard way. It seems I learn best that way. I should say the reference in this poem to blood being spilled was metaphoric, not literal. In this case I had just lost quite a bit in the divorce and was distraught. Little Tate just wanted my attention. When he started nagging me I turned on him and launched a tirade his way. The look on his face as a tear arose from his soul was heart wrenching. Having never seen me so upset he was devastated. The barb launched his way rebounded off his innocence to strike me dead center in my own heart. I had broken both our hearts. If ever an experience wrung the very water from my soul, this was it!

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

This is such a tender, yet profound piece... I FEEL each word.. I feel each tear.. I feel the anguish.. oh my goodness.. I literally have chills right now.. I feel the depth at which you love this precious blessing.. It is pure, it is unconditional, and it is real.. This is my absolute favorite piece I have had the pleasure of reading on this site... You are truly talented, my friend... AMAZING!!

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Now see many would say this was the hardest thing to write and admit But i beg to differ While I cannot read it without shedding a tear And cannot read it aloud writing it was easy it simply poured on the page

[AprilRN1210]

well, it poured brilliantly.. Thank you for sharing this with me.. I absolutely love it.. LOVE it.. not only do you have a wonderful talent, it seems you have a beautiful soul.. :)

[Tate Morgan]

I love my children But Tate holds a special place in my heart he and he alone went through my divorce with me and he alone saved my soul

[AprilRN1210]

I can feel that love shine through every tear soaked word sir and it touched me deeply.. I know you speak the truth.. You are blessed to have one another.. and I am blessed to have been able to read this breathtaking expression of that love..

[Hayley]

Wow, very meaningful and emotional. It is just so sweet, the first time he is hurt from his father, but slightly. A part of life that a lesson is meant to be learned. I can tell you a very good father.
"Behind those eyes then rose a tear
the first blood I had ever drew
From the depths of his tiny soul
where innocence bid me adieu"

That is my favorite stanza. This was very well written, in my opinion one of your best.. The most important thing is we are meant to love and be loved in return.

[An owl on the moon]

There is a courageous, beautiful tenderness expressed here... the pain of hurting one you love so much... I know from experience that pain and depression can cause one to do things they would never do otherwise.. May i learn from your words to think twice before I act...

[M.Babu]

"Once bitten from pain of divorce
I had shed teardrops of my own
From depths my boy had drug me back
he had never left me alone"

Wonderfully put down my friend! I believe that parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world. I mean...you have a complete human being under your care and protection. You have to raise them and incorporate love, discipline, a sense of self direction and sometimes being firm might be the only way for them to learn and grow well.

Your words are extremely touching and they draw the emotion and sympathy from fellow parents (I'm guessing...I'm a LOONNGG way from parenthood:))

Good Job with this!

[Nobody.]

Beautiful man. Just beautiful. cheers!

[abhas]

wow... Tate... i cannot describe... how much this poem is... what it is... much more than just words.. a piece of your heart... i'm glad you shared it.... you really are a great father... you're son will grow up and know... how much you care... all these words seem so meaningless... beneath what you've written.... and i keep this one... very close to my heart... thank you...

[My Fair Lady]

You knew I would love this Tate... Words cannot describe the depth of parental love I feel for my own children. I know I have not been a perfect mother.. but in that imperfection.. I am stronger and even more beautiful.. just like you. I love Adele.. by the way.

[Jvl narasimharao]

There is great pathos in this poem.I love it
yours JVL

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Tears, definitely tears........Tate this is beautiful. You write with the blood of your soul.

[HopelesslyDevoted]

your a good father, you really thinks things through and try to do what is best for everyone, not just yourself. and not all fathers do that. actually most don't.
wonderful poem!

[Sunni Davis]

Sometimes parenting can be the most difficult, overwhelming job in the world. Other times it comes so easily. We want our children to be happy and safe at the same time we want them to learn and grow. Sometimes those two things don't always line up. You seem to be a very good father, one who loves his children completely. Your poem expresses that love and also the pain and sadness you felt while learning this lesson.