Crossroads of life’s choices
Destinies determined within each turn
What roads wind toward regret?
The destinations we sojourn
Places bitter and sweet
Unknown, unrealized before we are there
Time allows no u-turns
And hindsight brings tears of despair
High roads fare no better
Lessons learned only through their happy end
Best guesses and mere chance
Despite the goodness we intend
Joy or shame, hope or tears
We can't control what the next turn might bring
Nor stop short, and afraid
By standing still, we've gained nothing!
Wisdom in acceptance
Once traveled roads determine who we are
Both the good and the bad
Past journey finds purpose afar
Life’s purpose and meaning
Dwells not in regret, or what could have been
It seeks those at crossroads
To guide the way, set straight again
In this way, we go on
Beyond the seasons of tears and despair
Our "What ifs" and regrets
And the times when life seemed unfair
People reaching crossroads
Unaware, not knowing which way to choose
Yet we’ve been there before
Brighter paths pave, through the "self" we lose
Author notes
So what do we do with the things we regret? How do we "make better," the things we can't change? How do we find meaning in the tragedy we couldn't control? Such are the things that, in part, mold and fashion us into the people we are.
So I believe it's more than just mere coincidence, when our own paths will sometimes intersect with another person who is facing a situation, or a choice, that we have already experienced. And I believe it is in those situations that we are called to be "our brother's keeper." I believe this is also how we find a way to "move on" past our own hurt, pain, and regret.
Ever ask yourself, "Why?"
Comments
-
Thank you
It's been a long time since I enjoyed a poem this much. It's a keeper
BE HAPPY
Ron
-
-
Thanks!
Thank you, Ron. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
-
-
Thanks for including the author's notes. We cannot change the past whether those things were initially in our control of the situation or not. But all of it does contribute to who we are and can become a profitable part of life if we allow it to.
A friend of mne (wordphoole) wrote these words recently:
"I looked away from fear
and found an obligation
to acknowledge and forgive
the man that I had been."
Sometimes there is that need to forgive yourself, as well as others, in order to move forward and not be paralyzed by the past.
Adding your comment:
