Past Abstract

The revision of a poem I wrote around 2011. Definitely one where I didn't follow my own advice on. Revisions done were the addition of enjambments, clarifications, a new ending line, and new title.

Photo by Lieselot. Dalle on Unsplash

The things that are always behind you.
Events that have already transpired.
Words that have been left behind.
Words that have been 
left to become cause and effect.
People that you’ll meet and leave behind.
Events that will become 
memories. Long cherished 
to be thought of and reflected upon.
Bad events, words, and even people.
Good events, words, and of course people.
No matter who or what 
move on. One can never 
stay in the past. If so they’ll never move
on to the future. But should and ought
are two different things. Pondering 
on what could have been. Wasting 
your present time. Wasting time 
thinking what if? Regret 
and ponder later. Move 
on and rise up. Look 
to the future. Open 
your eyes and live 
for the present. Forget 
the past and live in the now.
Things are left behind in the past.
Never to affect your present or future.
Only if you let them. Then no future 
can become of you. Only one
repetitious sad recirculation
of your past which can never 
be relived. Leave the past 
to the you 
who didn’t know.
Leave the past to others 
who were fools. 
Leave the past 
to those who can’t 
move on. The past is 
over and always will be 
the past. Don’t look 
back as a habit.
Get over the past. 
Better yourself 
for the future
so a glance back
without a crook
in the neck
becomes a gesture
of growth
to be respected.

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