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..

[TM "Ree" Tate]

Wo..love this! Very well expressed! Thanks for sharing this moving write!

[?]

I agree, too many men that have everything really have nothing at all, It are the ones that have nothing or not near as much that really have everything.
Very nice piece Tate. Enjoyed this one alot.

[Jazique]

That was really nice. Your emotions, your words, your wisdom itself was felt put into this work. It all rhythm so wonderfully in a flow for enjoyed the end when we came to "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
So small the pain of his distress
who's earnings don't tell of his worth
An honest man, this life will bless
no matter his fortunes at birth"
Well done and all in your work. your work was truthful and truly recognized life for what it is with happiness and struggles but, what it takes in life. You did a incredible job as usually for this was probably definitely a good writing for you since you've actually lived most of this life of yours and seen others live their. So well done and keep up the marvelous work.

[Cliff Rhodes]

Nice poem and it really brings back memories of my youth. The picture reminds me of my own grandfather's house. They were raised in a log cabin with a dog trot through the middle. Poor does not equate with sorow though, because they were the happiest family I have encountered since. Many who are rich monetarily are destitute in hope and character. I have come to realizee that God enriches who he wants to with a great many things other than money and there are those who are rich with material goods that are truly memorable indiviauls also. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

[William Fields Issac]

Very true, happiness can't be found by success or material gain. No matter of things will aid one in his or her succeeding at the pursuit of happiness. Your poem expresses this very well, the emphasis on relationship of getting ahead is wonderful and the poem it is set in is clean and conveys the intended message nicely. Good work

[JanieB]

Another great write Tate. :)

[Lilly]

"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"

Beautiful poem Tate - love this stanza best. Your words always ring so true - I hope more people will hear / read them.

[Beatrice Mars]

I'm reading The Grapes Of Wrath at the moment, and many lines from this reminded me of it. The last lines speaks volumes, this is beautiful, honest writing.

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

No matter rich or poor, what you make of it matters.
Wisedom pours from your viens and onto your hands;
as much honestly and kindness, comes wisedom and intellect.
Great job.