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Open Poetry #20
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The Road to Yesterday......................re-trodden
| Open Poetry #20 |
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The Road to Yesterday......................re-trodden |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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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 is meant to be, she's waiting up ahead 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. |
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| © Copyright 2002 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Mike, Excellent as usual, when I grow up I want to write just like you. |
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Krissy Senior Member
since 2002-02-22
Posts 556kent England |
’Deer hi there OH my goodness me this is what I was talking about when I said inspiration runs in crystal streams from these pages blue. THIS IS WONDERFUL. And you aren’t just a stream of inspiration you are a raging river. This is absolutely awesome. I must be spending way too much time with mum because all I can think of to say is this is utterly utterly fabulous writing. These two verses are exquisite. The meter absolutely perfect as always, the truth held in these lines is stunning. 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 is meant to be, she's waiting up ahead 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. Now you know I love this poem don’t you? It’s absolutely first class writing   Love and warm stuff As always Krissy And while thy willing soul transpiers |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You're so full of it....wisdom, I mean!  You published yet? Why not? |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
quote: *whew* - first part of this scared me.. glad you resolved it the way you did! this is the very same theme i was writing in my time machine pome which i still haven't finished..... i think i'll wait to finish it after i see what comes up ahead  as always, Michael..... great writing!! |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
I would have run ahead  |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
wow....your writing never fails to touch my heart...sigh...this is powerful, no matter where you are in your path...*smiles* |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
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! You write such wisdom... and do so with such poetic perfection... that I'm never ready for your poems to be over... no matter how magnificent the resolution. *S* I happen to know a suthern gal who'd do well to heed such wisdom... I also know she's likely to keep yearning. *G* Beautiful work, Deer One! |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 BRAVO!!! Oh my gosh, this is both a fabulous story and a lesson for all of us, sweet friend, I LOVE IT!!! I am guilty indeed myself for sometimes looking back and losing myself in the past and crying feeling my boyhood has been destroyed, but then I also know if only I harness the spirit of the boy I was inside of me and proceed I can make up and find joy for all the tears I've cried! (big hugggssssss) This is marvelous, sweet friend, we all love you so much, YAY!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Michael, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
since suthern loves it when I ditto her *nods her head with assurance* and she is so eloquent in her replies...I will just tag along and ditto her...cause she said it just perfect...when I am reading your poems, am never ready for them to end |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
damit, you did it again to me Deer! I"m going to hold off putting on my mascara till after I read all of yours from now on  |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
...Ahhh Michael!!... ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
’Deer dearest heart, Oh my fur and whiskers this is utterly utterly amazing. How do you always do this? Write such truth, such wisdom, this is awesome writing, NO ONE does this any better than you. Every single time you do this to me, you take me into to the story, make me a part of your tale, how do you do this so easily? I don’t know how you do it I’m just amazed at the ease with which you do. Each verse is perfect, as always the meter perfect the rhythm and rhyme truly divine, these three verses simply speak to me "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.... Truly one of your best and definitely a keeper, I know they all are keepers. And yes I love it as I always do. You are quite simply the BEST  Love and warm stuff As always Mushy  To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 2:79 |
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strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
Wonderful meaningful poem baladeer, Gone are the yesterdays and waiting for us are the tomorrows. Wonderful, I truly enjoyed this one. floria Floria |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Well mere words cannot say how much I like this. But..remember when Superman made time go backwards, just once? Sigh..if only. Sandra |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Today I too, was looking back, and wished that I was there ... 'Twas then, I clicked upon this post you penned so sweetly, 'Deer; I thank you for these tender words, that you have wisely said ... A wonderful reminder ... that there's so much yet ahead. Thank you sweet poet ... I needed that tonight, loved this delicate weave of wisdom. Best wishes and see you soon  /Kit |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Balladeer - I'm very glad I stopped by to read this. A most touching poem, very true words, and I did gain from your words. Thank you. BC |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
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."     This beautifully written piece, brought me a whole laundry list of emotions, Micheal... ~hugs from the past and future~ copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Sy....enjoy your childhood instead Krissy...thank you for allowing this raging river to flow over your banks. Yes, you have been spending a lot of time with mum and why not? She's fun! I'm so glad you liked it. I'll try to keep the river flowing... Sunshine...I'm as full of it as the Hindenberg was! Published? Having to put up with all that wealth and fame, invasions of privacy, obligations on my time, groupies....EGAD! I think I AM full of it!  Doreen...I've always believed in what is meant to be will be. The problem is..who knows what is meant to be? EBAY has no crystal balls on sale! NUTS!!!! Interloper...problem is sometimes you can run right past it... jellybeans...glad you liked it. Me? I'm headed down the psychopath!! Suthern girl....you're doing fine. Just keep putting one toe in front of another Noah...that's the spirit! Keep doing that... Passing shadows...you don't need make-up at all! Thanks for such a wonderful reply... Enchantress...thank you for opening your mouth and saying AHHHH! Marsha...you have fur and whiskers? I had no idea!!! Thank you for a purrrfect reply... floria...yep, that's the idea...and I wish you wonderful days ahead. catalinamoon...yes, I remember but I can't fly that fast!!! Knowing we can't makes it much clearer which road to take, right? Kit...your future is gonna be wonderful...'cause I'm in it!!!LOL! See you soon.... Bill...I thank you for stopping by and your sincere words... Madame C...here's to a great future for both of us!!! |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
I just love to read your stories, Sir Balladeer! I enjoyed this one very much. |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
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 is meant to be, she's waiting up ahead for you." Balladeer~ This was a lovely journey.... Lauren~ Step through the barrier of my mind, enter my soul, feel my desire, let my eyes guide you into the shadows of my heart [This message has been edited by Greeneyes (04-08-2002 11:37 PM).] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, SmartChick Lauren, thank you for coming along  [This message has been edited by Balladeer (04-08-2002 11:39 PM).] |
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SmittenKitten Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131where the sky and horizon meet |
Balladeer~ This is *exactly* what I needed to read tonite. And even if it wasn't such a significant time for me to read this poem, I would still be entranced by it's wisdom and the magical way for which you pass on all your profound thoughts. *Thank you* ~Krista Your beautiful words & creativity allow me to connect with the same in myself. |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
How many times I have looked for yesterday before meeting tomorrow and realizing I'm glad I didn't find it! Great write, Balladeer. |
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Phaedrus Member
since 2002-01-26
Posts 180 |
Enjoyed this muchly Thanks for the chance to read and reply |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
As usual m'deer you make me wanna steal that muse of yours! But, I'll just sit back and enjoy it's wisdom instead This is excellent writing and I second that comment on getting your poetry published! Can I be your manager? ummm I get 70%? This is a keeper!~ Take care Mr. patootie, Melissa~ "Poetry is not an opinion expressed... |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
WOW! No other word can express how awesome this is. WOW! Hugs, Marti " My wrinkles are badges of courage and reveal that I am a Mother." |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Michael...(bowing humbly)...you are the master of the ballad..... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Krista...well, I can see how it affected you by your answering poem...I'm glad Duncan...true you speak. The best is always up ahead. The past belongs to the past... Phaedrus...thanks for reading and responding..much appreciated Melissa...70%???? No wonder your mother has you working with her!! WOW! For you...anything Marti....two WOWS and a hug!!! I'm blessed! Thank you VERY much... Magnus...with your skill, you need bow to no one...but I appreciate your kind words, sir.. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
well I wanna give this one another go round, in case some were not fortunate enough to catch it while it was in the front |
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Ladyhawke Member
since 2001-09-01
Posts 86 |
Well done. |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
Don't ever stop telling your ballads, 'Deer... |
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Spirit Of Twilight Member
since 2002-01-11
Posts 116India |
Beautiful! The words Road to Yesterday has always inspired poems...yours is the most beautiful and wisest! Neha |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Thanks to the Lady in White for giving me the chance to read this poem at such a critical time. 'Deer...I really needed this, Thank you friend. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you all....glad it helped, Larry. My thoughts are with you, my friend. |
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