Pillar of Salt
by David Arthur Walters — Read all 14 poems by David Arthur Walters
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
I believed a man could change,
So I put the past behind me
And began all over again.
But then one day I looked back,
And was turned into a pillar of salt.
The New Man was a very good act:
His performance was greatly appreciated.
Success was within his grasp,
But he turned around and looked back
And was turned into a pillar of salt.
The Old Man is a pathetic sight,
Beset by vengeance all around,
From which he cannot take flight
Because one day he looked back
And was turned into a pillar of salt.
They say salt heals the wounds
And keeps meat for a rainy day.
If only I could cry those salty tears,
I would never look back again.
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Excellent poem.
I thought this was very profound,
Gerry,
Because he looks back? Maybe.
When he does, he only sees how little the new man has changed from the old one and the new one turns to salt. That's because man cannot change himself - not much anyway. Sometimes life's changes play a more natural role in changing him somewhat. But inside where change is most desired, he keeps looking back to those things that, by his very nature, he seems to miss.
But once a change has been made in him from a source outside of himself, from the Holy Spirit, he finds - he suddenly discovers - a change has been made in him. A change he didn't perform for himself but one that was placed there and engineered by God.
Then the man becomes a new creature. One so very different from the old creature. He receives a new nature. One so very different from the old nature. It is then real and permanent. Then he can look back without turning to salt. He can look back with gladness that the old man has finally been made new.
Edwin
and, I feel, an invitation
to live and move on.
Axilea
I Really Enjoyed Reading This Poem On Your Bio Page
This Is A Masterful Message of Wisdoms
Embraced ~ Embrassé
Vickie
Love this write!
Sandie May Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)
Outstanding composition. "Pillar of Salt" is a masterpiece by any standard. I enjoyed this poetic-philosophic accomplishment.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Regis
WOW. Don't look back, then--ever onward! Don't let the mistakes of the past keep you down; reflect on them, briefly; learn from them; and then move forward. An excellent, excellent piece you've penned--thank you, Sir!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :)
I relate to these words
Eileen