No Future In The Past

By:  Chris Avidano

 

I stand here at the river,

Looking at the water flow,

Seeing all my hopes and dreams,

Moving with the water upstream.

 

Yet, something keeps me here,

Where I am standing in emotions,

Unable to move ahead,

And start a new venture in life.

 

I recall feelings from the past,

Hoping to gain insight,

However, when I do that,

I end up repeating past mistakes.

 

I recall memories from the past,

Hoping to relive that joy,

But, all I often feel is the pain,

And push all I have now away.

 

I touch my skin,

To feel that sensation making know,

Right here is right now,

Not yesterday or the time before.

 

I have to move on,

And attempt to salvage all I discarded,

For my present will determine,

My future, not my past.

 

As I stand here at this river,

Where my future is held upstream,

I begin to realize now,

There is no future in the past.