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Truncated Roads of Promise

There was a time, long time ago A different world we used to know As highway ribbons cut through the night Beneath the stars clear diamond light There was a promise for us to borrow We'd take the paths to sweet tomorrow The towns that graced the winding roads Alight with life, Mainstreet's abodes Whose gleams outshown the crystal stars In longtime past, of youth, once ours Neon colors of signs so bright A shining welcome of joy filled light How my young heart wished to stay But we drove quickly on our way Along a highway ribbon, towns faded from our sight Truncated roads of promise Driving onward Through the night

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/18/2023 8:09:00 PM

Absolutely faving this one immediately, BJ. Wow! You've covered most of life's highways with this one. Thank you!! :) gw

Gary Radice

Date: 8/12/2023 1:49:00 AM

"The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there." A lovely lament for times past BJ. I view the highways in your lovely poem as a metaphor for life's journey. Cheers - Gary

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 8/18/2023 9:45:00 PM

Yes, things are certainly different nowadays, and you were correct in the metaphor, very much related to the old highways. Thank you for your visit Gary, it is nice to hear from you :)

Anon Y'Mous

Date: 8/6/2023 2:52:00 PM

I like to watch youtube videos of the old roads and highways. Seeing the small towns or what's left of them. Your poem take's me back to being a child and living those times again, happy times. Loving the poem, great memorys.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 8/10/2023 7:58:00 PM

I miss childhood days, I loved the neon, my mom hated the martini glasses, remember how they had a stirring stick that was alight and stirring from side to side? When I was a little girl I wondered why my mom was mad about those pretty signs, lol! Yes, those videos, especially Adam the Woo's videos, he loves to travel the old byways, when he's not in Disney anyway :) It is sad to see so many abandoned towns along the way, but it is nice to be able to see them again, though different than when we were kids. I'm glad the Route 66 Association keeps the Mother Road in the news, but itis fading. Twin Arrows Trading Post and Cafe is in shambles, I remember that place from being little. Happily Williams AZ is revamped, such a joy to see all that neon lit up again! The train from Williams to the Grand Canyon is a real dream as well, I'm ready to head back up that way and see more of Route 66! Thank you for your comment Anon, it's always a joy to see your comments to me. Have a blessed day :)

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/6/2023 2:12:00 AM

Impressive - a long long drive... God bless you always, Love, Gina

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 8/10/2023 7:52:00 PM

Thank you Gina, yes, it is isn't it? Things sure have changed from the days I remember! My dad loved to take us traveling, always his choice was the highways, at first not like there was too much of a choice, but then because he wanted us to see them before they were gone. I remember Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas. It was a sweet, hospitable tiny highway town, if you blinked you'd miss it, but it was alive and adorable. It is a ghost town now. It makes me so sad.