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..

[Larry Dyson]

YES I AGREE WITH eMMA..."' With the sun at my back and the chill thrill of feet bathed in a mountain stream, I fly with eagles, but hear the wren's call .. 'NICE PROSE tATE...

[Cherrie]

wonderful, the images express a meager life and poweeful, I loved it, they thought of the song and the image of the photo complete this trifecta

[emmajoy]

Bravo, Tate! Here's truth running through every well metered stanza. Too many people are impressed by the glitter of money, power and loud self-promoting words. The gentle man or woman who understands simplicity's strength is the human being whose love and respect for family and society comes before anything. ' With the sun at my back and the chill thrill of feet bathed in a mountain stream, I fly with eagles, but hear the wren's call .. '

[Ravyne Hawke]

I was raised very poor as well. My father worked extremely hard to give us the basics; there was no money for wants, only needs. This poem really touches home. We were happy to get hand-me-downs from our wealthier cousins. It didn't matter to us that we were out of fashion one maybe two years, we had clothes that were new to us. Growing up that way has made me humble and I realise that kids today have way too many toys and gadgets.

This is by far my favorite poem you've written. It is a fitting tribute to "Patches". Only those who've grown up with little will truly appreciate this gracious poem.

[Kenneth The Poet]

One of your best, if not your personal best in my mind. Great work and great song.

[Alicia Hirshey]

I have read this poem before during our conversations. It has helped me a lot. it covers a horrible truth. There is nothing worse than this pain it is a pain that I know to well. Almost like it will never go away. It just keeps eating at you and eating at you, until you can't take anymore and you start to feel like the only way out is the worst option imaginable. This was a great poem.

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Born with little, die with less. An adventure in between. All I could hope to do in life. Excellent subject, well crafted story. And of course, your outstanding rhyme.

[Light and ashes]

What a magnificent poem!!!! I adore it. The message in this poem is loud and clear, and a truer message hasn't ever been spoken. Money is just an object it does not breathe life nor give it, and it can't buy love. Wonderful writing