Sands of Time

Winner of the Bronze medal in the NY Literary magazine https://nyliterarymagazine.com/contests-for-poets-and-writers/winners-of-the-ny-literary-magazines-august-2016-poetry-contest/

We meet many men of sorrow

so much deeper than our own pain

Wisdom and strength they all borrow

washed by waters of life's own rain

Each of us ponders life's reason

looking deep within our own soul

We follow each path and season

that vainly we seek to control

The sands they burn up like cinder

that has trickled our fingers through

Each hope, our time does now hinder

what wasn't, we find is now true

Chase not the rung of the ladder

that will place you above the rest

When alone what will it matter

if a loveless life, you attest

So small the pain of his distress

whose earnings don't tell of his worth

An honest man, this life will bless

no matter his fortunes at birth

 

Author's Note

I meant this to be an endearing piece to honor the struggles of life. It has been an observation of my own life that the men I valued most seemed to own the least. This is so true that I cannot deny it. I imagine it was true life struggles that gave to them their great nature. I simply wish to shine the light upon our own misguided ways. The worship of the almighty dollar has never tucked a child into bed. Nor held the hand of a grieving woman. Money cannot buy love. Nor can it manufacture it. The reason the son of a rich man can wreck a 50,000 dollar car and think nothing of it is simple. To him that is what his father was willing to pay to placate the son. In the mind of the child the car is what the father is giving him to replace the time he doesn't have for him. So since the child's life is not important to the father neither is the car valued by the son.

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

I love the messages in this piece... Life isn't about how much money you make, how many things you achieve, it is about the relationships you have made, the lives you have touched.... We struggle through life, searching for meaning, for answers, for worth, yet never realize that it is in that struggle an the lives we touch that shows our worth... it is priceless, and should treasured.. take the time to share and learn the wisdom with others, cherish loved ones, and enjoy the simple things.. The sands of time will pass you by in a heartbeat if you do not take advantage of those hidden opportunities to learn, grow, appreciate life and pass this precious gift on to others... As always I love your work.. this is one of my favorites..

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Time is our most prized possession as it cannot be replaced and runs out like an hour glass.As I tell my son "Tate the value of a man is not held by what he owns but lies in what he gives to others."

[AprilRN1210]

exactly.. couldn't agree more:)
you're more than welcome.. always enjoy your work..

[Helpless]

Each of us ponders life's reason
looking deep within our own soul
We follow each path and season
that vainly we seek to control


explains life so well..... your poems always seem to do that. clear writing and yet i can feel so many deep messages within messages. amazing!
the song and the poem reflect eachother very well

[roarke]

nice poem, but I think you need to write about yourself instead. I think your author's note speaks more than the poem, it's a stronger write.

"...It has been an observation of my own life that the men I valued most seemed to own the least. This is so true that I cannot deny it. I imagine it was rue life struggles that gave to them their great nature. I simply wish to shine the light upon our own misguided ways."

I don't think it gets much stronger Tate.... write another one and start here, start with you.... you can weather the spotlight, no problem.

[roy mccarthy]

great write tate,
you paint a vivid picture with your words!
very wise words here!

[Richard Williams]

Finely written, touching on true humanity, the worth of ourselves when giving of ourselves is paramount.

[Audrey Howitt]

Well done. Wisdom and strength they all borrow
washed by waters of life's own rain

This is my favorite line--you speak so clearly!

[Christie Moses]

this is full of such wisdom. The love of money is truly a means to an end. The things that matter in life are not what one can buy, but things that one cannot put a price on. There are so many that are misguided and seem to think the more you have, the happier you are, and in the end, they never were really happy. The answer to happiness lay in a hug, a touch, love, and honesty. Things that occupy a true heart. That is what life is about.
The ones who learned this lesson are the ones who touch our lives the most. They have such integrity and strength.
I really loved this one.

[Coyote Poetry]

Wise words in the poem. Better to struggle and have family then to be alone and wish for friends and children at your feet.
"No man could be called a lost soul
whose help to another he lends
The shoulder he gives to console
will earn him a life full of friends"
Thank you for the outstanding poem.
Coyote