Don't look back

I've never particularly liked the idea of looking back; I'd rather look forward. Jane Asher

You know what you will see?
Between those burned bridges
and all your sunken ships
as usual bloodthirsty sharks meander.

Distrust swims crisscross
in the midst of a school of piranhas
biting themselves, cutting as a knife,
in the calves of all those bygone days.

 

It was a time

that you learned to keep your head up

trying not to sink again

 

and again

drinking the cup of gall

that they spouted.

 

A not faltering willingness

to conquer the stream

as a salmon,

to avoid as a fragile fly

the strikes of the flyswatter,

refining your stealth mode

to vanish into nothing at all,

 

to disappear completely of their radar.

 

Put you GPS on straight ahead,

concentrate on the friendly voices

that will guide you, explore the road.

 

Don’t deviate.

 

Let the leeches

slime on the side of the road

the rats and the wolves will find them,

recognize them as their own

to devour.

 

The nails of your coffin

are by no means available yet.

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

27/06/2015

Reviews

[Jesse Pruett]

I like how your showing a perspective of more than one creature in danger, and not leaving humans out of it. Cause humans go about there days thinking there not in danger, when any one of those seconds, you could be on the side, where you are getting eaten by one of those animals.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you for visiting and commenting. :) Rudi

[Jesse Pruett]

Thank you for replying

[Cassie]

wow!!!! I let out those words (wow) after reading this, this is such an encouraging poem. Deserves to be shelved and re-read often as a reminder. I love the nails of my coffin are not available yet. I love this Rudi!! great job.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Cassie, it's indeed a bit confronting, but it's the only right way to go...I think. :) Rudi

[Vishuddha]

I enjoyed this poem, especially the use of water and the creatures which swim within. As all of life is based on and maintained by water I take your water world to be life itself, its nature being dog-eat-dog, red-in-tooth-and-claw and survival-of-only-the-fittest. Struggle, persist and always forward even until the inevitable end. Shivering dark and a wonderful write.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

You're so right, Lily, with your review. But now I'm going straight on, escaping that world. Glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[mattavelli]

Ok ok ok, I won't look back! Haha
This is a great kick to anyone who has fallen into regrets.
I will focus on my path and ignore naysayers and things that might keep me from my goals.
It's great, Rudi! Scare us in the right direction. :) Matt

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Matt, for reading and reviewing. I don't know why, but lately I'm a bit into the scary poems. I think (hope) it's a phase. :) Rudi

[mattavelli]

They are fun to read. :)

[Chris]

You used one sweet pic to set off stanza two - memorable.

Facing and moving forward takes a courage not everyone has. I do like the flavor of the last two lines - it HAS been an "interesting" life.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Chris, for reading and reviewing my poem. Glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[MsJewel]

You have shared some wise and inspiring words in this well written gem Rudi. I love the last few lines - they sum up the poem and your ideas perfectly. It's always a pleasure to read you my friend.

:) Julie

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Julie, for passing by and reading my poem. Glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[Robert]

Well written piece Rudi with an underline message, keep going forward and stop looking back into to past.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Robert, for reading and reviewing. :) Rudi

[sereenaoutloud]

this has such a strong message and one i agree with totally... time looking back is wasted time that could be used to live in the here and now !!
Just a superb write and imagery Rudi!!

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Sereena, glad you liked this one too. Have a good day, my friend. :) Rudi

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love the coffin part works so well...not available yet...
and of course we must avoid that flyswatter...we have to keep our heads up in order to do that.

well expressed.

j.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Jacob, for reading and commenting. :) Rudi