Home » Poems » Ilene Bauer » Highways That I Knew

Highways That I Knew

For 30 years I drove to work,
On highways that I knew.
The early morning traffic
Was so light I almost flew.

I recognized the landmarks 
That I passed each time I went,
A smooth commute to where I taught
My singular intent.

In the years since I retired,
I’d no need to take that route 
‘Til today, when GPS said
That’s the way to go, no doubt.

So, to meet some friends we traveled 
On the roads we were assigned,
Which were different from the old familiar 
Ones I had in mind.

Change is bound to be expected;
Nothing simple gets to last.
Even roads and their surroundings 
Differ from those in the past.

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Maurice Rigoler

Date: 10/7/2024 10:12:00 AM

For me, old and familiar roads bring back many memories that have affected not only my life but the passing of Time itself. I feel a sense of loss when I travel a road (or a path) that has dramatically changed from what it used to be: its familiarity has been lost forever and I am a stranger to whatever new changes have taken replace. I've written many poems on that theme. Your poem has acted a catalyst for newer ones. / Maurice

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/6/2024 10:19:00 PM

Life was so uncomplicated back then and nothing stays the same, even the old routes we used to take. Tom

Arlo Parker

Date: 10/6/2024 9:40:00 PM

Swell remembrance piece, Ilene. :>)

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 10/6/2024 5:35:00 PM

I guess we will never go back to paper maps. Thank you for this story.

Terry Flood

Date: 10/6/2024 4:22:00 PM

Another smashing diary entry, Ilene. I so rarely write about ‘what happened to me today’, I really should give it a go. Hmmm… You do set the benchmark very high!