...Closer Than They Appear

Try as we might
that which is behind
never leaves us

Familiar resolves abound

Closure

Moving on

Don't live in the past

Dream of the future


However...


Objects in a mirror
remain closer than they appear

Right view
road kill
past regrets
side roads never taken
all off the right shoulder

Center view
remembered signs
left and right
divided by motion pulling in each direction

Forward
Back

Left view
pursuers coming fast
can't be left behind
as if there's a first place
even as the resisting blast of air
foretells of speeder's folly

Whether of straight line or curved stretches of the journey
questions leave us only for momentary blind spots
our safety net of mirrors always at the ready

Did we actually believe our experience
could be left behind
forgotten
sealed away
distance packaged neatly
replete with c'est la vie ribbons

As mind's eye darts from left to right and center
life's permanent past is dimmable
but only ‘til the high beams of mindfulness demand attention
rendering closed eyes but temporary respite

Might it be

Between then and now
mirrored likenesses of yesterday
are necessary flames of after-burn
enabling the course chosen to proceed forward
whether passing or stopping at new crossroads?

Arrested images of consciousness
here but for the instant need
receding as quickly as they appear
never letting us forget now's need for
the previous
the future

Yes

Try as we might
objects in our mirrors remain

...closer than they appear