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..

[melissa]

Amazing poem tate Keep up the great work i love your poems

[Sami Khalil]

A splendid read and write Mr. Morgan. The message is loud and clear. Thank you for sharing...:)

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks sami I am kinda hanging around today

[Sami Khalil]

I understand...You are welcome...:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is what you meant...i don't read authors' notes before reading a poem...i want the poem to speak to me as it will..

this reminded me of "A Wonderful Life"--

a man is never poor who has friends.

they are most important in life...and what we do to help others is always more important than what we do to help ourselves.

wonderful poem my friend.

jacob

[Pete Langley]

Tate, I applaud this poem first for the music of it as a piece of art - but perhaps more important is the message. Relentless hard times can be wearing on anyone, especially if exposed to - and adjacent to - affluence around them. People who have little materially but still maintain a warmth of giving and thought for others are the real heroes. I love this piece. P.

[Veronica Chandler]

This profoundly important message is not wasted on me, and I am as moved by the poetry as I am the authors note. I really cannot say if truer words were ever spoken or written Tate. I am still working my way through your very large body of work, and so often I stop myself and say, "Now that was my favorite." Only to betray that favorite for another just up the bend. At least for this moment this one is my favorite, but alas the night is young and I may yet find another. My very favorite lines in this one are the following...
"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."
I remain inspired by your well crafted words and powerful messages.

[ms. barrie]

another incredible write, very insightful


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

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
---------

indeed your words spilling out on paper are words of wisdom speaks to one's hearts/conscious - reminding all that ambition, fame, success does not really matter, if we end up ignoring our loved ones, is not really worth all that money, nor fame. when you're sitting on top of that mountain alone. wonderfully penned, once again, an amazing write. thanks for sharing :)

[Distant horizons]

Stunning words sir. Again, I feel it would be offensive to pick out a particular part of this above the rest, as they are all wonderfully penned, but the verse beginning chase not the rung of the ladder shouted out so loudly to me. What will it matter indeed. Excellent.

[Muse]

Your note and poem..made me think of the following:

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

[Andrew R.]

The part describing the ladder rungs spoke to me. We as humans tend to chase ambition and goals while leaving the people we love behind. Now a days, we see people searching for happiness when its curled up sleeping in your own home.