Old Man Looking Back

Old Man Looking Back



Lone figure in the distance looking back from a tall hill
Shades of something familiar that gave me a cold chill

A look , a stand , something strangely calm about the man
Even the sky at his back set the stage like an ordered plan

A trancelike state suddenly seized total control of me!
Then that voice I could both hear and so clearly see

Look back old man,  was voiced with such controlling air
Tingles sped up my back and crackled loudly in my hair

Such mellow and measured speaking with a reassuring calm
Raising both hands he showed a big red star on each palm

These are time marks that send me years forward and back
So many thousands of such journeys, I've even lost track

Stare deeply into one in my left palm , you go back to see
Life you lived , the young , very shy youth you used to be

To return just look intently to the red star on the right
Your mind, body and soul will return in the flash of white

Without any hesitation I did as he told me to act and do
Away in a flash of brilliant white light I quickly flew

Back to the boy fishing lazily under familiar Willow tree
Shocked to see the happy little boy was none other than me!

I then remembered that so lucky day, caught a fish so very big
On a cut cane pole so slender and not much bigger than a twig

Next a flash snatched me to another sweeter place and time
At the local store Mary and I bought two cones for a dime

The bright glow of adoration and baby love on her angel face
Brought a stream of joy for that reflection, time and place

Another flash and light sent me into my young married life
Days of contentment , sweet bliss , love of my first wife

She suddenly walked so gracefuly into that large living room
Glowing like the majestic beauty of fair rose in full bloom

Before I could speak to her , my beloved, away I again flew
A clear voice loudly calling out , return now, I mean you!

Back swiftly to the smiling old man, resting on the tall hill
Then I saw his face clearly, O' what a marvelous great thrill

Looking right at me was my smiling so very much older face
Then in a flash it vanished , gone forever without a trace!

Next I found myself looking again at the very distant hilltop
A voice booms out, look forward young man and do not ever stop!

Robert Lindley, 06-09-2014

Was inspired to write this today , a poem I read in early morn 
in a poetry book titled, Songs of the Soil , by Frank L. Stanton
, D. Appleton and CO. 1894..---  gave me this inspiration.

That poem he wrote was titled, A Song In Good Time.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 7/23/2014 5:52:00 PM
thank you...PD
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Date: 7/6/2014 7:28:00 PM
Congrats Robert...absorbing and inspiring
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:32:00 PM
Thanks much my friend!!
Date: 7/6/2014 9:42:00 AM
Very inspirational piece Robert...I must go look for "A Song In Good Time" ....congrats Tim
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:31:00 PM
Many thanks Tim!!!
Date: 7/6/2014 1:34:00 AM
A stunning write my dear friend from a great inspiration! I love it and so enjoyed. Thank u so much for sharing and congratulations on your great win! love and hugs, Leonora
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:31:00 PM
Thank you Leonora!!
Date: 7/5/2014 5:44:00 AM
Scintillating write Robert ! Always something I learn from ur poetry ! Congrats on huge win!
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:30:00 PM
Thanks my friend. I always enjoy reading your writes..
Date: 7/5/2014 12:27:00 AM
Very gripping and absorbing story, Robert and congrats on the win
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:30:00 PM
Thanks Dr. Ram....
Date: 7/4/2014 10:31:00 AM
Robert,, Congratulations, thank you EVER SO SO much... Keep Enjoying my contest, and my latest blog "Some Poems Are:" if you like. See you around, :) LINDA
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:29:00 PM
Thanks PA. Enjoyed your contest.
Date: 6/25/2014 4:18:00 PM
Robert, my friend, I enjoyed this fascinating well-written story! Congratulations on your great win. BRAVO!
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:30:00 PM
Thanks much Pandita.
Date: 6/25/2014 1:52:00 PM
great progression of the storyline, robert.. sweet congrats!.. huggs
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 7/8/2014 9:29:00 PM
Thanks nette.
Date: 6/11/2014 9:38:00 AM
Wonderful poem with valuable life lesson. Thank you for sharing Robert, and... thank you for your kind comments on my Father's Day prose. wishing you a wonderful creative day. bfn Elain
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 6/11/2014 10:25:00 AM
Thanks Elaine. Always a pleasure to read your poems my friend!!!!
Date: 6/10/2014 2:18:00 PM
Robert, thanks for sharing the inspiration, ~ SKAT ~
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 6/10/2014 6:50:00 PM
Thanks for commenting my friend!!!!
Date: 6/9/2014 10:21:00 PM
!!!
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Lindley Avatar
Robert Lindley
Date: 6/10/2014 8:42:00 AM
Thank you Gigno....
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