Two Lefts Make A U-Turn - Sneaking in I have been without a modem for a month. Sorry

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Kevo
Member

since 2004-06-02

Posts 466
Navarro County, Texas, USA

0 posted 2004-08-04 11:38 PM

Sorry for the unintentional hiatus.  My modem has been out for a month resulting from a virus.  I have been waiting for a new one for nearly a month now.  Gateway has effectively lost a customer.  They were UPS Over Night-ing it on July 20th, and I'm still waiting and still making enemies with customer service reps.  At any rate, I sneak in when I can get to a computer in an attempt to keep up or share something.  My sincere apology for not responding much at all lately.  The computer is definately the reason for all of it.  I hope by the weekend I will be up and running again.  I hope you enjoy the poem below.  Miss ya'll.

Two Lefts Make A U-Turn

Alone I travel the winding road
that in the end shall set me free.
every so often an intersection appears
where the turning lane is all but erased.

I can see the paint outlined in the dust
collecting upon an aging soul
that once held the lane open for hope.

So many times I have raced on
without giving a second glance.
Yet, now a little wiser
I wish I could go back.

I would give my wife the dreams I had
to make to her dreams come true.

I would watch my son pitch his first game,
and cherish the tear in his eye when they lost.

I would take more time to teach him to shave,
and to cherish the heart of a woman.

I would be there to watch my little one laugh
when he fell after his first few steps.

I would understand early on that life is not a job,
and that when I reach the point of no return
more time there is not what I will regret.

I would walk down our dusty drive,
and pause to take in the air
while memorizing those blue-bonnet clusters,
and rolling my wife’s delicate fingers
deep in the well of my callused hand.

I would do so many things differently
If I could only slow down enough
to make it over into that fading lane in time.

I would not have cursed Him
the day he took my friends home.

I would not have beaten that poor kid
only to prove I was tougher than the rest.

I would not have been so eager to end friendships
with those that could not help me.

I would not have been so abrasive
to those found of genuine spirit;
many of whom have passed beyond
the opportunity to take back things said
...and unsaid.

I would not have argued on foolish pride
with the woman I so love
on so many distant nights.

I would not have badgered my eldest son
every time he disappointed me.
After all, I am far from perfect,
and “disappoint” is such a strong word
to explain simply being a boy.

I would not have rolled my eyes at the thought
of changing my youngest son's diaper.
A point in time will soon come,
when those cease, never to return.
Weeping will come for me then.

I would not push my old dog aside
knowing his days are few remaining.

I would not be too busy to talk to my mother
my father, my brother, or my sisters.
They’re the only ones I've been given
…time is fleeting.

I would finally slow and drift over
to the lane that takes me back,
with the understanding that
two wrongs don't make a right
but two lefts make a U-turn.

Yes, I would make two lefts
And do it all again
...a little differently this time,
and with a little more appreciation
for such things taken for granted.

Copyright, Kevin V. Reese, 2004

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

1 posted 2004-08-04 11:43 PM

What a fantastic introspection, and something tells me only good will come from it too. I think we can all look back and wish to change things, but you know what? In the end, a small change for the better today is all that is needed to do better, and be well-received by those around us. Just a great "sneak in poem." Sorry about your virus, there are so many these days.

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

2 posted 2004-08-04 11:46 PM

Welcome back Kev...hang in there.
Great to read you again...a wonderful write.
Here, we have these Michigan lefts all the time...so very true.
TD

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

3 posted 2004-08-05 12:35 PM

Kevin, welcome back. Virus...eeeks. This was such a heart-felt suspended moment. Why can't we know all that we know when we're younger....such a good question. There must be a reason but I haven't figured that out yet.

....jo

Dark Angel
Member Patricius

since 1999-08-04

Posts 10095

4 posted 2004-08-05 01:00 AM

We keep growing and learning, isn't that wonderful? Yes, and it's never too late.

Glad you snuck in... most enjoyed.

Maree

The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change.
~Stevie Nicks~

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

5 posted 2004-08-05 01:03 AM

Something to read, appreciate and ponder...James

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

6 posted 2004-08-05 12:33 PM

happy to have you back...was wondering what happened

I like the write here

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

7 posted 2004-08-05 03:14 PM

3 lefts make a right.

think about it.

A very sweet, wonderful writing. I hope you let your wife see it!

Susan

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

8 posted 2004-08-05 09:31 PM

Well said Kev...I think we all have done this.

Re. the modem...gosh, I prob have a couple
of spares laying around...

Think of this...imagine being back in say,
1960....  when the mail and the horrid
long distance phone calls were all we really
had for contact...  and we now get upset when
our cable is out,  our comp. is on the fritz
and our keyboard sticks....

How life has changed so rapidly over the past 10 years...let alone the last 50 or so.

We are blessed.. (I think)

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