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Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2000-11-21 11:46 PM


He sat there on a large rock at the crossroads of the world,
A white-haired man with flowing hair and fingers slightly curled.
He watched all travelers come and go - the strong, the weak, the good
Each seeking their own pathways and he helped them when he could.

He saw the lad approaching, glances moving to and fro
As if he were not certain which direction he should go.
Then, after several moments passed. he heard the traveler say
"Excuse me, sir, can you show me the road to yesterday?"

"There is no road to yesterday", the old man shook his head.
"I think it would be better if you tried to move ahead.
Yesterday's a memory of days long since gone by
And you cannot return, no matter how hard you may try."

"But you don't understand", he said, "how desperately I yearn
To have things like they used to be. Old man, I MUST return!
There was a girl back there, you see, who thought the world of me
And all I want is that things be the way they used to be."

It's not the same", the lad went on, "the specialness is gone
And, if I cannot get it back, there's no sense going on.
Please help me find the road to take. There's got to be a way
To bring those feelings back the way that they were yesterday."

"The earth can only spin one way from dawn till day is done
And planets only orbit in one path around the sun.
There is no power on earth to make them turn the other way
Nor is there any method to return to yesterday."

"You can return to yester-memories - not hard to find.
Just follow all the avenues that lay there in your mind.
Relive the moments that you had and, from them, you may learn
But yesterday's in Avalon and you may not return."

"So are you telling me", he said, "the girl I knew back then
Is lost to yesterday and I will not see her again?"
"Why, no", the old man said, "although those days are gone from view
She may be in the future, up there waiting just for you....

and, should you find her up there, your love may be stronger yet,
Then you can move ahead without the pain of lost regret.
Don't yearn for yesterday, my son. That part of life is through.
If it's right, she'll be waiting up ahead somewhere for you."

The boy looked back and then he knew the old man had been right.
The road that he had taken there had disappeared from sight.
The old man gave a knowing smile - the young boy dipped his head
Then lifted up his knapsack, smiled...and slowly moved ahead.

[This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 11-22-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
1 posted 2000-11-22 12:21 PM


this is a great piece of poetry my old friend, (very old by the way), and yanno?, I wouldda thrown this rock if he hadn't been sittin' on it......but you are a talent extraordinaire yanno...you really should publish a book bud...Maybe with a title like:
Poetry from the heart, and despite Toerag?....what ya think?

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2000-11-22 12:24 PM


There is no road to yesterday", the old man shook his head.
"I think it would be better if you tried to move ahead.
Yesterday's a memory of days long since gone by
And you cannot return, no matter how hard you may try."

"But you don't understand", he said, "how desperately I yearn
To have things like they used to be. Old man, I MUST return!
There was a girl back there, you see, who thought the world of me
And all I want is that things be the way they used to be."

===================

"The earth can only spin one way from dawn to setting sun
And planets only orbit in one path around the sun.
There is no power on earth to make them turn the other way
Nor is there any method to return to yesterday."

"You can return to yester-memories - not hard to find.
Just follow all the avenues that lay there in your mind.
Relive the moments that you had and, from them, you may learn
But yesterday's in Avalon and you may not return."

"So are you telling me", he said, "the girl I knew back then
Is lost to yesterday and I will not see her again?"
"Why, no", the old man said, "although those days are gone from view
She may be in the future, up there waiting just for you....

and, should you find her up there, your love may be stronger yet,
Then you can move ahead without the pain of lost regret.
Don't yearn for yesterday, my son. That part of life is through.
If it's right, she'll be waiting up ahead somewhere for you."
==============
Ya got to eat a lot of Spam to be this wise  
my oh my ...this is wisdom kissed..and precious...
the poet needs to be kissed for this ones grace
and hey...your rhyme aint half bad either *s*
this is a treasure sweet Deer'..truly
needs to be illustrated and turned into a childrens book...
I'll be your agent ... we'll split the spam 50/50    
later-ohhowilovewhenyouwritelikethis-gator
jm

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 2000-11-22 12:35 PM


A true ballad..vintage Balladeer..at his best! This is wonderful.  
Irie
Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493
Washington State
4 posted 2000-11-22 12:41 PM


I adore this piece.
Every thing about it just tickled me pink!
Fantastic words Balladeer.....


~Sheri

"The things that come to those that wait may be the things
left by those who got there first"



Broken_Winged_Angel
Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994
Small Town, Somewhere
5 posted 2000-11-22 01:26 AM


What a delightful piece to read!  Very well done.

With a little piece of tomorrow,
You'll have to kiss yesterday goodbye.
Because today won't last forever,
And the past will only make you cry.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2000-11-22 04:21 AM


An exceptional piece of poetry
Perfect in every way
But what did I expect
Only thing is, you just keep getting better
Liz

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
7 posted 2000-11-22 05:12 AM


Hey! Balladeer what a great poem!! so free flowing and so well rhymed and full of a storybook type of wisdom.. the kind that might stay with us kids for quite awhile... maybe?  Excellent poem story and so well written...I'd think a little more on the title of that book before I took just any old advice.

........take care...ethome

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
8 posted 2000-11-22 06:58 AM




It moves with my heartbeat
Write on
Keth.
< !signature-->

Why do yesterdays remain and todays pass by ...unnoticed?
Rex E. Alford


[This message has been edited by Kethry (edited 11-22-2000).]

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
9 posted 2000-11-22 07:32 AM


Michael, Michael, Michael ... I absolutely adored this! The flow, the sentiments, the vivid imagery ... and the wisdom, the wonderful message you've woven into this beautiful story. You are simply amazing, what a talent ... I loved this!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2000-11-22 09:12 AM


I saw the road, the man of old
the man of young with unlearned tongue
to ask for which he cannot have
but the balm of sage to salve

I saw the road, I traveled it too
but never had I felt it till I read you...


Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...
I would rather be silent and write, than speak loudly and be bound.
KRJ




Charisma
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
11 posted 2000-11-22 09:57 AM


you are truly a great poet, everytime you show that again....this one is weaved with so many wise words and insight....superb as always.

Charisma

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
12 posted 2000-11-22 10:19 AM


Balladeer~ you wrote about my husband, and I was up the road, wondering where the heck he was!! I loved this as it does hit home for myself and my husband.......excellent poem.   -SEA

Live,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB


suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2000-11-22 10:30 AM


But I dwell in yesterdays
That existed just in dreams
To step ahead (and say goodbye)
Is beyond me... so it seems.
Still, I enjoyed your poem,
The wisdom that you've shared
Even if it makes me know
Why I'm going nowhere.

Okay, okay... but the alternative was singing a few verses of "Ease On Down the Road" *G*... and you DON'T want that! LOL

pmc
Junior Member
since 2000-03-09
Posts 48
Germany
14 posted 2000-11-22 10:34 AM


This is a great poem,
Well done!

pmc

Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
15 posted 2000-11-22 10:39 AM


now that's a ballad...

nice work wordster...

Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb? -Kahlil Gibran


Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

16 posted 2000-11-22 10:49 AM


This is one of the most indepth, emotional, expressive pieces I think you've ever written!  It makes us feel thankful this time of the year for the past, the present and the future. Sometimes, we lose someone from the past but we have that hope that in the present or ever the future we are rewarded once again and that makes it all special!  Thank you for posting this one, Michael!< !signature-->

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses
over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey.""
Laurie Lee

Kathleen




[This message has been edited by Irish Rose (edited 11-22-2000).]

Professor Gloom
Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082
of Depression
17 posted 2000-11-22 11:02 AM


Very well done,
the lines are perhaps a bit too long for a song,
but the plucking of strings in the background
would go well.
Truely enjoyable.

Gloom

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
18 posted 2000-11-22 11:07 AM


Well once again you have balladeered your way into the hearts of all that read you.
You are a poets laureate pour, but you could be so much more. Sy

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
19 posted 2000-11-22 11:46 AM


Wonderful story and poem, deer...you are the best!
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
20 posted 2000-11-22 01:48 PM


Toe....despite Toerag?? You have inspired some of my greatest work! Ibviously you haven't seen my website.. www/netpoets.net/balladeer/index.html
hehe  

JanetMarie...needs to be kissed is right! Anyone you know available?   My spam is your spam....

deVine one...you are ALWAYS appreciated!

Irie....I'm glad. You look SO good in pink!!

BW Angel...thank you for being delighted...

Liz....kudos from the queen..I'm honored (and I mean that sincerely!)

ethome...thank you! For a kid, you're FULL of wisdom already!

Kethry...anything that moves with your heartneat is moving in the right direction  

Kit...I live for three-Michael replies! Thank you, dear poet!  

sunshine....read on and I'll write on and we'll travel on....

Charisma...you are always so gracious! Thank you, my friend  

SEA..it's always nice when I can hit a personal note for someone. Too bad he found you...I couldda had a chance!!!!!  

suthern girl...not your fault. You're just looking for dirt roads instead of superhighways! You can sing for me any day!

pmc....thank you very much for responding...and welcome  

rebel...thanks for coming by...

Rose...thank you for getting so much out of it! Yes, hopes for a better future is paramount in its importance...no one should ever lose that  

gloom....Ithank you for humming along..

Sy.....thank you my friend..I could be more? Like a bugman, for example? You're right!!  

Martie..you misspelled "beast" but thank you!  

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
21 posted 2000-11-22 09:41 PM


they say you can never go back... whoever "they" are... i still have dreams/nightmares/illusions or some kind of something about walking the halls at high school, going back to college to complete an exam but i didn't know where the class was, on stage ready for the dance performance but i don't know the steps...

some things never change, y'know?

the more they do, the more they stay the same.

your poem, Michael, relays truths so permanent to the human experience that it gives me chills....

no WAIT!! that wasn't the poem, er, or was it?...  

looking back and forward at the same time is just a matter of perspective, focus, and decision. and i have decided this poetry you have written here is a wonderful reflection of lives woven, and also separate in their beauty.

Thank you, sweet Poet, for this look inside and outside of you.  

- all you can ever really ask out of life is a sincere apology and some decent poetry -

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

22 posted 2000-11-22 10:09 PM


I thank you much m'deer...this one has already been memorized by my heart. Beautiful and wise...
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

23 posted 2000-11-23 12:36 PM


Full of wisdom! Beautifully written!

Denise

Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
24 posted 2000-12-03 05:17 PM


Wise indeed...something to keep in mind...
Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
25 posted 2000-12-03 05:28 PM


BRAVO!!!BRAVO!!!Though we can learn from the past we can never return to it. *sigh* it is always better to move into the future for it may hold the happiness we desire. Thank you thank you. Much love from me to you.

Love I leave with you my friend whether it be in your life or of yet the essense of your dreams. http://path2riches.com


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