Here we are: The final “Two-for-Tuesday” day today. And after today, only two more prompts to go.
For today’s prompt:
- Write a look back poem and/or…
- Write a don’t look back poem. Because some folks just want to keep their eyes on the road ahead.
Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.
Not
ReplyDeleteto far
in the recent
past we gathered together
without fear of the virus.
We
used to
visit our friends
sharing space and air and time
without fear of the virus.
Some
of us
wasted chances
to spend time with family
before fear of the virus.
Those
of us
always embraced
activities and events
before fear of the virus.
I
wish that
I was one of
those who didn’t stay at home
before fear of the virus
Now
we all
stay in our homes
until we can live safely
without fear of the virus.
The repetition works very well, like ringing a bell. And yes, I agree except that I never wished I was one who didn't stay home because they are the ones endangering others.
DeleteNice use of refrain - you build and add to its meaning with each stanza.
ReplyDeleteLOOKING BACK
ReplyDeletesixty years
later I could at last
tell Hannah why
I never called her
after that
party at her mother's
house where we
broke through being kids
together and
we kissed all night maybe
second base
even though who can
remember
more than not quite knowing
what do next
except I should call
the next day
ask how she was
did she want to go out
did she still like me
I didn't
call her because
I had never called
a girl and I did not
know how to
Love this immensely. I love the stanza breaks, giving double meaning to the last lines of each stanza.
DeleteAwwww. I like this reference to the awkwardness of youth.
ReplyDeleteSad story... Hope you connected at the end.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRemembering to Look
They say
You should never
Look back,
Only ahead.
You might get
Stuck in the past
And forget it's
only a memory.
Memories
can change,
and the past
being gone, we
may not remember
what really happened.
Better to look ahead
it hasn't happened yet,
so there's nothing
to be remembered,
and at the same time
nothing to forget.
Nice take on the prompt. I do try to look ahead but we should never ignore the past.
DeleteYesterday got away from me, so here's an old one that fits the prompt.
ReplyDeleteERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
March 2008
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away…
memories the radio plays. I’m transported…
Click. Silence. I can’t stand songs from my youth as I
drive the downtown streets where I hung out. They bring back
memories. The radio plays. I’m transported,
roaming through Murphy’s, Grants, The Boston Store. Now ghosts
as I drive the downtown streets where I hung out, they bring back
this feeling, my chest sinks through my heart. I recall
roaming through Murphy’s, Grants, The Boston Store. Now ghosts
like false fronts, familiar, not the same, confusion,
this feeling, my chest sinks through my heart. I recall
those old stores to life, remove the new names, faces
like false fronts, familiar, not the same. Confusion
under control, I invoke my past to rise, bring
those old stores to life, remove the new names. Faces
appear too, ghosts unbidden, cannot get the spell
under control. I invoke my past to rise, bring
old lives, buried in concrete, up through the snow. They
appear too, ghosts unbidden. Cannot get the spell
right, to bring back the good times. I want to leave those
old lives buried in concrete. Up through the snow, they
shimmer, bring me back, make it home again. It’s not
right to bring back. The good times? I want to leave those
days that smothered me like warm snowdrifts. Memories
shimmer, bring me back, make it home again. It’s not.
The past gone, I live in the present. The spell breaks
days that smothered me. Like warm snowdrifts, memories
remain behind. It looks as though they’re here to stay.
The past -- gone. I live in the present. The spell breaks.
Click. Silence I can’t stand. Songs from my youth as I
remain behind. It looks as though they’re here, to stay
yesterday. All my troubles seemed so far away.
Nice one, even if it is an oldie.
DeleteLook Back—Don’t look back
ReplyDeleteThere’s a crossroads where now
I see heartache in myself
Looking back and yearning for
A life that didn’t happen
But yearning that it did.
Like the Mirror or Erised
It holds me in its trance
Like opium holds its addicts:
With claws of desire, pressed
Into treasured dreams and broken promises.
My deepest yearning is to rewind time
And try again,
Something that time proved
Should have never been,
All along.
There’s a Crossroads where now
I see truth in myself
Looking forward and discerning for
A life that yet, has happened,
And willing to accept what unfolds.
Like the prophecy of a sage
With words which aspire
To meet dreams and new promises
My choice in yearning is don’t look back
But try anew
Something that time will prove
Should have been possible
All along.
Poignant and well done. Even so, one day perhaps you will enjoy pruning it a bit to make it even stronger.
Delete