The Road Ahead
There are turns you just don’t get to take—
not because anyone’s cruel,
but because once wires knot up,
the whole thing sparks out.
So, folks split off,
and the timing and reasons
close themselves with a sigh.
The soft‑hearted part of me
wants to argue with that,
wants to circle back,
jiggle the lock on the old gate,
see if the latch still gives.
But the realist—
that gravel‑voiced buddy—
leans in and says:
going back only messes with the lesson,
looking back just slows the walk.
Still, absence doesn’t disappear.
It sprouts side‑paths:
a hollow in the chest that catches rain,
a chair at the table that makes you sit straighter,
a silence that learns your name
and answers when you call.
So, absence hangs around,
not because you asked it to,
but because it won’t leave—
a shadow that keeps pace,
a hand you can’t grab
but still feel brushing your sleeve.
Paths might cross again, or not.
The smarter move is forward,
feet steady on the gravel,
eyes open for the next bend.
And even as I keep walking,
I carry the ache like a small flame—
not to light the way back,
but to see a little clearer the road ahead.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 19th, 2025 06:59
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 18
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments7
I have someone I know that always says never go backward only forward. He will walk an extra mile or more so as not to go back the way he came. A wonderful poem Cryptic so full of little wordings that raise past memories and make it nostalgic in some way. Loved it
Perhaps those little recollections increase as the years accrue! Thanks, Soren🙏🏻🕊️
You are most welcome Crytic
Absolutely beautiful! So very true. Language is rich and powerful. Spot on!!!
Arqios, this whole piece moves with quiet wisdom…loss, realism, soft-hearted longing, and that final flame you keep not to return but to see forward. It’s tender and grounded at the same time. Stunning work. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
A fine write A. Reminds me of part of a hymn, that goes something like: ...... 'so clearer light shall mark the road, That leads us to the Lamb [of God]'
You form depths of feeling and mood which I can visualise and know, then extract whole and complete.
Rare creation. Thanks Rik.
Here's hoping that rare in this instance is a good thing. Sometimes writing can feel like word-vomit. That's just me sounding unsure of myself. Thanks, Dave 🙏🕊️Rik.
When I used 'rare' I was not comparing it to your body of work, but the larger plethora of poetry out there.
My mind was tending toward steak 🥩🫠🤣🙏🏻🕊️ it’s my way of being facetious 🙏🏻🕊️
But mighty man thankful and mindful about the depths of value your most appreciated comment has made within me 🙏🏻🕊️
In my long life I have found that you should never go back Rik it can be disappointing so always go forwards.
Andy
We press toward the mark of the prize...
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