Personalities and Ifs, what if?

Question

What ifs

Don’t talk to me of yesteryears, of what ifs and should have “beens”

I am tiring of this guessing.

Does it make you feel better, berating yourself for “if only I had?”

Does this confession cleanse the soul?

You have the courage to stand there, walk today into tomorrow’s light.

yet this shadow seems to grow.

Sadly now you have me thinking of if you are… what “iffing” me,

and now my shadow grows…

Silently I bite my tongue; it’s been swollen many times

and listen once again to “if.”

In earlier times I would have tried to make everything right, to agree

but that just made them worse.

So now, I listen while you yesteryear once again and again

and my stomach churns.

I look for escape… some long overdue task to do, some out…

many times you just follow.

Ironically now, I am starting to think about yesteryears myself

and it still includes you.

Answer 1

Well done

I hear you clearly in your last stanza.

Answer 2

I agree yes,"what if", is so easy to say, but is no good for the soul. We SHOULD learn from the past without dwelling in it to long.

Great POEM!

Answer 3

Sometimes the yesteryears lay the foundations for the tomorrows.  Well done Neonman!

Answer 4

What if I hadn't read this? I would be missing out on some great wisdom from Neonman! Love the poem and the message. We should live for now, the past can not be changed no matter how many times we mutter those "what if" words.

Answer 5

To embrace life

and all that was

accept the

painted picture

as the master piece

of love, joy, sorrow

every person,place,

thing, was just the

way it was supposed to be.

be it bitter/sweet,

I wouldn't change a thing

and it still includes you.

As usual Neon, you gave us a treasure of a read, Kudos

Answer 6

Here is a poem that give me feeling as well as visual images.

My tongue and stomach feel the sensations you describe.

Very good use of words and word pictures.

Answer 7

this a great poem. cause it shows me things that i keep hidding inside, you know stufff that i was afraid to said.

Answer 8

This may sound regional but I'll say it anyway "mmm that's a bit iffy Neonman" Non, je ne regret rien"

I am trying to reduce my ifs and buts. My doctor said "diet and exercise" so maybe there's something in that for all of us.

Answer 9

I put those in a shoebox in the back of my closet and never open it again. I still have the memories but I've learned to move forward. The "if " and "what if" are regrets; an empty wish, born out of loneliness and need.... oops, I have this need to read and then pass along my perspective. I hope it is not irritating. Sometimes it's the only way I can express what I have read when I have nothing to add. Your words speak for themselves.

Answer 10

"Hi!",

I'm a dweller of the yesteryear's and only makes you depressed. Life's to short to waste on yesterday and tomorrows always a new beginning. enjoy life as in a blink it is gone!

Thanks for the enlightenment.

Great Poem.

WELL DONE!

Cheers : )

Answer 11

"What if" is part of the Human Condition. Perhaps TD can take you back in his Wayback Machine to change the past. If he is too busy at this time, we'll simply have to live for the present and the future.

I am glad you escape into poetry. You enrich the world.

Answer 12

The content is strong. The artistry is weak. If only you had listened...nah, nothing would have changed.

Answer 13

Too many what ifs makes one into a nag!