If only I had taken this to heart when I was younger, but then, too often the young must learn it for themselves. Now I must learn to get rid of the if only.
Broad and green
with the promises
of riches or pleasures
are the vistas
that lead us
to frolic in our foolishness,
to spend our true blessings,
when it was the narrow path
through this beautiful plain
that might have served us well.
But, nevertheless,
enjoy and meditate
the memories of what you did
and the consequential wounds.
Find the wisdoms gained.
Blades of grass
that knifed through us
are the disciplines
that keep us trimmed
if we avoided
the death and destruction
to find the path again.
"If onlys" can only
brown and wither.
Real thought can begat
the lush growth
of true and lasting faith.
Very thoughtful write. It is so easy to look back on the past in retrospect and weigh all the mistakes we made. However, those mistakes were part of growing up, part of the learning process and without them your education would have been incomplete. To learn to walk we must fall down now and again.
A most introspective poem, Jerry, and so much wisdom in it. It's always tempting to look back and wish and wonder ...
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on June 28, 2009
I like your notion of "real thought" in your last stanza. I've come to understand the power of thought, the power of intention and how it creates our experience of life - that which we most focus upon ultimately manifests. Thus, we need learn from our past then move forward toward brighter, optimistic thought that can lead us toward our most divine unfolding. A genuine sense of self-acceptance, self-compassion makes this journey more bearable for if we're wrapped up, tethered in self-deprecation and regret, our new thoughts cannot fly forward unencumbered. You are a wise, sensitive soul.
Sharp intellect and words of wisdom are found within these lines. Your words conjure up many images of things I did that I now wish I hadn't... The second to the last stanza puts those images into perspective, however, and the last stanza drives the point home. Yet...I believe that sometimes those "if onlys" can also drive us to make changes that broaden our path and horizons and help us right the wrongs we have done...but that is "only if" we keep them in the proper perspective and don't dwell in the past, but rather learn from it and move on...making our future better because of the mistakes we have made.
But... now I am being philosophical :~)
As always...your poetry is a pleasure to read and learn from.
Note: Since my husband's cancer surgery 4/25/05, this book content has been integrated into the public speaking content for audiences interested in a sassy approach to personal and/or community awareness events. Another chapbook on intimate love poet
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But... now I am being philosophical :~)
As always...your poetry is a pleasure to read and learn from.
Cryssa :~)
brown and wither.
So very true, Jerry.
Regis