Heart of a Lion

My rendition of Drake Cooper and his dog Dodger.

His play he would be forsaking

facing the darkness we all fear

Soul aching tiny heart breaking

oh how he wished that I were near

 

The matriarch of his small clan

was ill and finally dying

It was his plan to act the man

while inside his heart was crying

 

I had finished my latest book

which I dedicated to Drake

The Ties That Bind weren’t so kind

as I heard his little heart break

 

I sent him the book to peruse

in the hopes that it would cheer him

To ease the blues and heal his bruise

though the diagnosis was grim

 

He took her my book with the note

opened it to the beginning

Where he read the quote,  I had wrote

his face all aglow and grinning

 

In the end what could any say

to this child who loves his small clan

Love whispered stay,  don't run away

to this boy forced to be a man

 

Tate

Author's Note

Little Drakes grandmother passed away a week later and he was extremely upset. If I could do anything for him I would. He has taken it as well as any man would. But times like these we don't want him to have to be a man. We want him to live out his childhood as a boy. I can tell you the tears of a child can break the heart of any man!
This was the dedication I wrote in the front of my newest book
The Ties That Bind
I dedicate this book to Drake Cooper
A young boy of unique talent and intellect. In him I see the great handy work of the Almighty. His was the heart that once reached out to mine. When I was most alone. I will always be grateful. He bought me my first poetry album. Then inspired me to fill it with my writing. Possessed with the heart of a lion and soul of a poet. Meeting him was one of the greatest gifts I ever received. He will always be loved by me.
Tate

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

very touching tribute to Drake and his Grandmother ... theme and story overwhelm all else .. what can one say?! i am sure he will keep your book close for a very long time.
E.

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Gene I was very touched to
Reconnect with this kid the other day. He has held a special place in my heart

[Alfred Kukitz]

You have shown yourself through pain and tearing to be the man of soul rarity.

Regards,
Al

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Alfred Nothing breaks a man’s heart more than seeing a child he loves cry

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

Simply beautiful, Tate. The most special gifts often come in the tiniest of packages.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much

[Stacey Watts]

This is a very beautifully written poem. It speaks to the heart of kindness and love. Nicely done. Your words are always truly captivating.

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Tate

For someone in reviewing, who at times has much to say, I have no words to match the artistry of this piece, the sentiment and pain which lie behind it or the drawing which accompanies it.

Sometimes the silence of admiration and mourning is all that matters in the end.

With all due respect

James

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think sometimes children are stronger than adults...and smarter.

[David Lewis Paget]

A sad tale indeed, Tate, but isn't that life in a nutshell. We all lose the ones we love; is it any better to lose them later in life, or when we are young enough to learn that death is an inevitable part of the picture, and we'd better get used to the fact.