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..

[Taji Herbert]

you have really good lines!!! (washed by waters of life's own rain) love it!!!

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Tate,

Again, a poem of deep feeling and beautiful sentiment. But here you captured a number of worthy phrases that bring home the message so beautifully"

"We follow each path and season
that vainly we seek to control"

"The shoulder he gives, to console
will earn him a life, full of friends"

"who's earnings don't tell of his worth
An honest man, this life will bless
no matter his fortunes at birth"

All so nice, my friend. And so nicely put together. This is a good one, Tate. Kudos on that.

My very best regards,

Rick

[Ashley]

i like the ryhme scheme. good job

[Raven Starhawk]

Wisdom is mighty and is a easy trade that you deal so well. This poem is the climax of excellence. Every line is penned with amazing detail.

[Tommy]

Oh the wisdom that pours from your pen...This piece reminds me of a story my brother told..He and his friends were out drinking and raising hell int the west deserts of the Salt Lake Valley, when the happened upon a minny van stuck in the mud on the side of the road...Well these drunken no good youngsters got out and dug that van out, and the bishop who was inside with his family said, "I looked at you and thought you all would just drive past us, and I was wrong, I shouldn't have judged you." saying this as another family drove by without even checking to see if everything was ok... You can never see the heart of a man by the look of a man...

Great Write Tate!
RLG,
Tommy

[Lily Mae]

"An honest man, this life will bless
no matter his fortunes at birth"
I love this Tate.. a very emotional read.. I think we can be dirt poor but so rich in spirit.. and blessed in more ways then many ever will know in a lifetime..x Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us here..x

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

I've met these humble people and they live truly blessed lives for being able to count the numbers of people who have sincere love for them. What a gem Tate.

[Pumpkinspice]

No words wiser have been spoken. With grace, integrity, and with honest heart. This is absolutely wonderful Tate. One of your best that I have read. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Pumpkin:)

[TJ]

"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"

Wonderful and wise words spoken in this piece. So many are driven by greed and by the desire for riches, it is so sad. And many times it is because these thugs have been drilled into our heads by our society.
I wish everyone could see this piece and realize what it is that truly makes a man rich.