One benefit to humble beginnings
is that I do not yearn to return
to them.
Why would I want to be hungry again?
Or ill clothed?
Or dirty?
Past loves are not
surpassed by present ones
They do not act upon my
mind or body
with greater pleasures.
I remember when I
could not write
could not think
could not sort out
nuances.
I find no bliss
in ignorance
no flights of fantasy
in half formed ideas
no desire to repeat
past deeds that did harm
to others.
To always find solitude
in past memories
is to ignore the
good that can be
done today
the hope for
tomorrow
and the joy
of living in
the moment.
The past is a good
reminder of
what I was
not of what I am
and clearly not
what I expect to be.
Let others make
the case for yesterday
I choose now.
I enjoyed this one because it makes a point that nostalgia is often a misplaced feeling. Now it may seem simple and joyous, but when you were back there living it, it was rife with hunger, difficulties, disappointments, ignorance, and frustration. Poverty is a rising problem in this country and the whole "bootstrap" I-did-it-all-by-myself doctrine of the rich is a false one. You first need an opportunity (or a few) to get out and not all are so lucky. I'm glad you were one of the lucky ones who had an opportunity and seized it. I have no nostalgia about my youth. I'm so glad to be an adult! My life really began at 23. I choose now also. Thanks for sharing. Danae
wow. you made a lot of good points, Mr. Phillips. wisely said. it had been told too many times before, but your words and how it was written made the perfect sense.
I feel the same way. there is a quote I wrote a poem about. "Yesterday is history, Tommorrow is mystery, Today is a gift. That is why it is called a present." A quote by Babatunde Olatunji. Too many people live in the past. "Oh, I wish I had done this or that." I like living in the present. Brilliant work.
...passionate erudite poem penned brilliantly
using the innovative poetic-natural-waterfall
splashing features and effects...running down
the page...from one splash of great verse to
next...flowing thoughts...love the three bit
lines...most...stream of poetry teaching economy
of parenthetical...nostalgic or not...connecting
the "then" with "now"...in wonderful rhythm that
interweaved poetry with nature...neatly together.
NB: In my own "now" and "here" land...even the popular freshly
baked hot cross buns strong rush of yummy nostalgia...doesn't
come from the past...just across the road...C'est si bon Bakery.
Ohhh! So Delicious!
Amen, Edward! Living in the now is the only way for me...not that my past was not worth remembering...but I like where and who I am today...my little dog, Ziggy, is a wonderful teacher. He keeps me right here...nicely done!
It's a good thing to reflect on the past and move on. Your poem reflects on a past that is but a bittersweet memory of who you were but not who you are now or who you are meant to be tomorrow. To infinity and beyond!
It seems that many poets are wrapped up in a kind of lost yesterday that never existed. You are a realist and a pragmatist that I enjoy reading, whether it be a fascinating factual article or a very finely crafted poem with a message like this one.
I agree that now is where we are...but I have many happy memories which I enjoy returning to...they sustain me when I'm down, help me get through the days...
I wrote recently of the 'compassionate gift of memory'... For the good bits of course! :-)
Diana...
A way to use your mind for silent communication. Speaking about the methods in the book I have used since a young age.
21st Century learning. I also have a GoFundMe page to ask for funds so I can research with other people and add their experiences
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Kathy
using the innovative poetic-natural-waterfall
splashing features and effects...running down
the page...from one splash of great verse to
next...flowing thoughts...love the three bit
lines...most...stream of poetry teaching economy
of parenthetical...nostalgic or not...connecting
the "then" with "now"...in wonderful rhythm that
interweaved poetry with nature...neatly together.
NB: In my own "now" and "here" land...even the popular freshly
baked hot cross buns strong rush of yummy nostalgia...doesn't
come from the past...just across the road...C'est si bon Bakery.
Ohhh! So Delicious!
and forward to tomorrow.
live for today,
time is what we borrow.
Michael D.
Anna
Ron
I wrote recently of the 'compassionate gift of memory'... For the good bits of course! :-)
Diana...