Home » Poems » Crystol Woods » The Keys to the Future

The Keys to the Future

The doors to yesterday are shut tight and locked.
     Only windows allow quick glimpses... you, face red and angry, eyes shut tight, refusing to accept reality away from your warm, slushy world of heart beats and distant voices. 

    Alas, we are all thrust out into bright lights, cold hands, and loud noises. Our lifeline cut in two, leaving us without a tether. 
    The air presses in all around, the first heavy burden we bear. Simply lifting our heads is too much to ask. How quickly we adapt. We learn to accept the indignities of a flesh body. 

     I watch you grow again and again. Each birthday is a celebration…and a time of mourning. Missing the child you were, whom I'll never see again, carry again, hold again. Each year you change into someone else and I come to love you everyday, with every smile, every word and moment. 

     I may miss the baby I see through that window to yesterday, but I also look forward to falling in love with who you are and will be each and every day. 

     The doors are locked to the past... but we have the keys to the future, in the eyes of our children.

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Victor Buhagiar

Date: 7/31/2025 8:49:00 AM

There is a contrast between the young and the grown up. How we loved our children, but each according to his age. I love the name Crystal and must try to read your poems more often.

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/31/2025 9:07:00 AM

Week I would be honored to have you read my poetry... you give such good reviews! Thank you Victor! Xo

Bill Baker

Date: 7/30/2025 6:06:00 PM

A lovely poem commemorating the precious memories of times spent with our children and the joy of looking to our future experiences with them and who they will become, Crystol. Nothing but good feeling while reading your poetry, today, my friend. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/31/2025 4:15:00 AM

Thank you poet friend Bill! So glad you received good feelings from this! Xo

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 7/30/2025 5:20:00 PM

engaging words. I appreciate and agree with your perspective. Liked both the first and last lines....such truth in them. Wishing you a pleasant evening, Sara

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/31/2025 4:16:00 AM

Smile... thank you! That's such a great compliment! Xo

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/30/2025 5:03:00 PM

Love the final lines!

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/31/2025 4:17:00 AM

Sweet! Ty! Xo

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/30/2025 2:02:00 PM

I enjoyed reading your wonderful write. Great and true first line. Yesterday is gone. Great last line. We have the keys to the future if we will use them. "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a fun day writing away..........

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/31/2025 4:17:00 AM

Thank you My friend Paula! Your so very generous! Xo