Talking About the Past (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Talking About the Past
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Friday, August 20, 2021 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- Talking About the Past -- John Herlihy When talk between new lovers becomes intimate, They begin to talk about the events of their past. A door to an exclusive world opens with no limit, A melody of memories emerge that never do last. Turning time back makes people feel utterly free, Speaking honestly of one’s past suddenly allowed. Sharing things never shared with anyone else to see, Things that make me shameful, other things proud. A new lover doesn’t know the path I have taken, What they initially see in me is what they first get. The person I am now embodies memories forsaken, Joys and sorrows silent in hibernation as we forget. That’s why a new lover opens the gates of deluge, You want them to know you, and be understood. The weave of one’s destiny provides a safe refuge, The child in the person reflects one’s childhood. All that we have said and done lies in the past, The secrets of a tree lie in the number of rings There in the arms of the lover, one holds fast, Unveiling the past offers an intimacy that sings. You think you know me, but no, please listen; I am a ball of yarn unraveling on a long thread. I will whisper of my memories that still glisten; Reminiscences of my heart that long ago bled. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Thursday 14 January 2021

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on September 9, 2021

DEAR LORD, HOW OUR PAST LIVES DIFFER! TALKING ABOUT THE PAST...CAN BE GOOD OR BAD, DEPENDING ON WHAT ONE SHARES. WISDOM ALWAYS SHOULD BE EXECUTED; FIRST...AS TO WHAT ONE REVEALS AND SECONDLY...(SINCE TRUE AND LASTING LOVE SEEMS TO BE A THING OF THE PAST)AS TO WHO THEY REVEAL IT TO. THANK YOU, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on August 21, 2021

First off, the pic you chose is stunning for this poem. As to those many doors that get opened in sharing the past, honest sharing is both healing and nurturing a new love relationship. It's the doors that are not opened that should frighten one. Of course, only the confessor knows such doors, but without being TOTALLY honest in sharing as many of the past expereinces as possible with a new mate, in my view ( 3 wives, happily with the 4th for 17 years because we share all the doors,) there is ahead much pain. Secrets have a way of showing themselves often in more hurtful ways of behavior than such past memories would by sharing them at the onset. Anyway, yeah, sorry for the rant, but on top of the wives of alterior motives hidden behind those doors, there's also the love I once had for the art of acting and directing, until similar experiences to the wives began to erode that love. 'Nuf said. Gread poem.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on August 20, 2021

You make me afraid to be your lover. I'm not sure I could take all of those confessions that have long been simmering in the past to get out. Glad that will never happen. Mine are strictly women.

But your poem is right on for most of us. And the alternate sexual world is finally able to confess without serious repercussion. It is nice to have someone that you can discuss intimate details without having them turn on you. Unless of course, later you get a divorce. ;-)

Ron