ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A line from Maureen’s poem triggered this,
“if only you could take the time to walk awhile in my shoes”

AN UNWRITTEN LETTER

I have walked back through the ages to the time it all began,
and old memories come back to haunt, the way they often can.
Lived again the rollercoaster of the life that I have had,
Saw it as it really was back then, the good times and the bad.

Not the sanitised short version of mistakes along the way,
or the oft selected memory we tend to now display,
For I’ve lived again the heartaches that we all endure in life,
balanced by life’s romance far away from mundane things and strife.

So I need not write a letter now I’ve looked into the past,
best to let the past remain the past, and make this time my last.

© T.E. Piggott

Well said, Terry!

Shelley is right - this is well said, Terry. Those first two lines are instantly relatable, and your last two say it all as far on dwelling on the past too much goes.

Well we can't go back Terry, and having regrets is a bit of a useless pastime as well. My old Mum used to say 'least said, soonest mended' and I guess there is a certain wisdom in that. I often say to myself (and others) that all decisions we make/made were what appeared to be the best decisions and/or the only answer at the time. We don't have a crystal ball and if history proves us wrong so be it.

Charitably (it doesn't always work) I try to allow our politicians the same privilege. Your poem kind of says the same thing I feel - we all need to be kinder to ourselves I suspect .. there is good and bad in everything

Thanks Shelley, Catherine & Maureen.

It was an interesting topic and between us we looked at it from several angles.

Probably the thing that stood out for me, was we can't change the past, but can take lessons from it.

Still love that line of yours Maureen!

Terry

How did I miss this one !
Good one Terry, puts it all in perspective and sums it up nicely!
It also brings memories of a few lines from Henry, not sure what poem it came from though. I actually read it on a wine label, (from Mudgee no doubt).

You must never admit a suggestion
That old things are good to recall;
You must never answer the question:
"Was I happier then, after all?"

Well done mate,
Ron

Thanks Ron

Terry

Love this Terry!
I imagine many “unwritten letters” have been toted by the campfire throughout your years prospecting-there’s something rather healing about a night under the stars staring into blazing coals I’m sure you’d agree.

Sue

Thanks Sue.

Still miss it as well.

Terry