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Open Poetry #11
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The Road to Yesterday
| Open Poetry #11 |
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The Road to Yesterday |
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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'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).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
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? |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
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 |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
A true ballad..vintage Balladeer..at his best! This is wonderful.  |
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Irie Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493Washington State |
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" |
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Broken_Winged_Angel Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994Small Town, Somewhere |
 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. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
An exceptional piece of poetry Perfect in every way But what did I expect Only thing is, you just keep getting better Liz |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
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 |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
 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).] |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
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 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
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 |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
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 |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
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. -SEALive,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
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 |
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pmc Junior Member
since 2000-03-09
Posts 48Germany |
This is a great poem, Well done! pmc |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
now that's a ballad... nice work wordster... Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb? -Kahlil Gibran |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
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).] |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
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 |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
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 |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wonderful story and poem, deer...you are the best! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
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! |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
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 - |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I thank you much m'deer...this one has already been memorized by my heart. Beautiful and wise... |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Full of wisdom! Beautifully written! Denise |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Wise indeed...something to keep in mind... |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
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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