Forgetting The Past
This is the most difficult task everyone finds hard to do
From the lessons we learn down to the things we go through
Do we look back to review the things we never want to repeat
Or do we look back because its hard to move on after a defeat
Moving forward should always
fade the memory of the past
Reminiscing isn't something to motivate the present to last
Do we fear our dreams because of our past nightmares
We're going revisit shadows of the past so be prepared
Life is about not expanding on the bad but making corrections
People walk steady taking steps in a new direction
Who could drive forward while looking through a rearview mirror
How do you expect the view of your future to become any clearer
Forgetting the past means not looking behind
Its pressing the play button instead of pressing rewind
"He will progress toward retrogression..."
Mother's heart defied such prognosis
yet it reverberated, haunting soul
thus, faith cleaved to divine pillar
toward hope fueling functionality
surmounting spastic bouts
conquering seizures
then beholding miracles.
Now, milestones radiate
as special child drives himself
midst freedom bliss
maneuvering wheelchair
likewise taking steps with walker's brace
vanquishing mother's fear
toward triumph of impossibilities
enabled by God*, the divine anchor.
*Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
August 23, 2025
15th place, "Killick" Free verse Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Craig Cornish; judged on 9/5/2025
It must’ve been a season,
not your full story.
But every season builds our endurance,
another step towards the glory.
It has helped you realise,
you need time to heal.
Sometimes we do really need to sit,
just sit and feel.
Pick up the pain, don’t focus on the lost time.
Its all a part of the plan,
you’re going to be just fine.
You did put out your whole heart,
its what we do,
we open the book,
full, honest words,
and truth.
But now,
don’t trip over something thats behind you
Trust and believe you a still taking steps up
Remind yourself you are a half full cup
Full of faith, ideas, hopes and dreams
Without realising,
one day the season will have passed
and you’ll see that sun beam
Unfortunately sometimes,
someone is not who they seem
Don’t trip. don’t let it slip, or grip.
It’s behind you.
You grow through what you go through.
I'm on fire with this life.
I like the fiery flames,
I like to let go through myself,
To experience, to feel emotions,
I love to warm up people's life.
I want to believe my own feelings.
Rather than rely on logic often,
All my destiny steps are taken away,
When I felt my whole body sense,
Came brave right decision for victory.
“The Sonrise Inside of Me"
(by Michelle L. LeBlanc 04/04/2023)
Dedicated to my son, Jayden Donald LeBlanc
My heart aches
My body breaks
My mind protected
My tissues exorcisted
A whole new level I have found
Learning to process trauma
Has definitely broken new ground
Feelings, no longer suppressed
All coming to the surface
Beyond what I would've guessed
Now I'm feeling them all around
Trying to be more careful
So my mind calms, remaining sound
Doing the work on myself that I need
No, I'm not giving up
Even though my heart still bleeds
Time did not make it easier in my case
The longer you've been gone
The heavier the weight
But I will not give up healing myself
Doing the work, moving forward
My health won't go on a back shelf
I'll press through, I will press through
Never losing my focus
Taking steps, onward with you
Thinking of you, will not always be pain
It will be my heart's strength
A tool being used to rewire my brain
You'll always be The Sonrise Inside of Me
Your life a true inspiration
Of what the world was meant to see!
4/20/24
Another street fight
A body riddled with flea bites
I could hardly ever sleep tight
Each night
Unable to dream right
Too often seeing red not a green light
Taking steps closer toward three strikes
After reaching extreme heights
Above several creek sites
The mountain peak bright
I could see a light
Defining what is deemed as life
Told me you don't have to always be nice
When others take you for a fool and charge a steep price
Just to be able to survive and eat rice
There will be these types
So cheap like
Always trying to cheat in life
You'll see it at least twice
Warned me to lay off the peace pipe
In the end said I may meet a wife
Tip Toeing
I'm taking steps
But quietly
I look to the left and to the right of me
And guess what I saw
I'm going excelling very far
Driven without a car
GPS takes you every which way
I got to tip toe but by faith
Quietly listening to God
For confirmation
To be great
And do according to his will
I am tip toeing into a big deal
Quietly seek
Wait for God to speak
Cease without knowing
Keep on tip toeing
You got to tread light
It's like training wheels
On a bike
At first, you learn
How to trust
Your instinct
Is that enough?
Or do you let go of your fears
Dry away those tears
Put a plan together
Tip toe through any weather
Every thing doesn't have to be seen
That's how you live out your dream
In life you grow
Somethings you have to let go
When you walk into a room
It gets light
The tunnel at the end is bright
Quietly seek
Wait for God to speak
Cease without knowing
Keep on tip toeing
Listen
Pay attention
Listen
Pay attention
Quietly seek
Wait for God to speak
Cease without knowing
Keep on tip toeing
(Repeat until chorus fades )
Written by : Concetta Hardnett
08/26/2023
that’s not a beagle! Said my cousin Dave
as a decorated beagle came out of the cave.
What is it then? I asked, wondering too.
The beagle’s legs were long, he was wearing pink and blue.
Is it a beagle? Dave asked, wondering aloud.
The dog gave him a withering look, he looked mighty proud.
Then he gave a beagle howl, there is no other sound like this.
“I am a snake” said a slithering voice, with a tiny hiss.
“We know that,” Dave said, giving the python a mean look.
I was taking steps backwards, for the snake’s tail was a hook.
“I am a beagle,” the dog said “but this is Mr. Beagle to you.”
I made introductions which were clearly overdue.
1/11/23
Typical that they have doubts
It's often dragged out
All this crap being bragged about
Moving over the speed of eight knots
At a great cost
I had to take shots
In order to make lots
Otherwise just stuck in the same spot
Meanwhile all these fakes and snakes watch
From that pettiness I break off
Got no time for it, stand in the way and it's chaos
The pieces haven't fully fit into place
It's been a bit of a wild goose chase
Quite the journey
Taking steps that put me on a gurney
Much remains that is a threat
I'm building my skillset
It's just not the same as trying to kill pests
This time it's no drill test
Because this foe will vex
No pushover, meanwhile secrets still kept
Not always see through
It is indeed true
There is much out to deceive you
Meanwhile in the world greed grew
I'd give you endless love and support if only she knew
As the breeze blew
A change in vision
Gained wisdom
Out to make a difference
Not remain in the same position
No matter if people stay ignorant
Never remain lazy and lose the chance
Be brisk and active to acquire success
When you just relax without any efforts
Your golden dream cannot be realized
If you remain passive with no dreams
You may come out as an also-ran man
Instead, if you move Heaven and Earth
Success will come to you by searching
Never limit your genius by surrendering
Think high and confidently enter the deal
Great rewards, you will reap definitely
Narrow not your mind by allowing fear
You win by taking steps with deep faith
Your success lies in your own hands
At times you may be standing on it
Due to its nearness, you may overlook
Giving up is an easy job that can be done
To you, now I ask, What is the use of that?
Just saying "no" and then staying damn idle
Will it bring any growth or mirth or glory?
My dear soul, take my word and think
Let us not rust by taking indefinite rest
Let us use all our faculties well to excel
Contributing usefully for World's welfare.
Tomorrow I will wake up and work out just a half hour,
And yet I find myself weak.
Today I will limit myself on the sweets I devour,
And yet I find myself weak.
Now I will get up and actually do something and clean,
Yet I find myself weak.
I will read today! Instead of stare at a screen,
Yet, I am lazy and weak.
I will hold my tongue, be less mean and obscene,
And yet my soft lips turn to a sharp beak.
I sail on, a captain ignoring a leak,
Not taking steps to fix the wheel that squeaks.
I promise myself hollowly to improve week after week,
As I sit at the bottom just wishing for the peak.
I can do it, I can make steps, have it be more than what I speak,
If only if only…I weren’t so pathetically weak.
Dont take it for granted
Those skills you’ve been holding
Those gifts he keeps watching and waiting…
For you to use
Knowing with Him within Faith inside of you…
You wont lose.
Its okay to take a break from taking steps
Its okay to focus on being still and slowing down
Its okay to have more off days than good
Less smiles, more frown
No one gets the chance to be you
Everyone is stressed over feeling empty now
If only they knew…
What you let me be born with
If only they had your Peace closer…
I truly wonder if thats what it’d take
For me to have more friends
Because i feel like everyone is empty
And they try to steal what they sense in me
Like a slave behind a gate
Eyeing free little me
I just wish i could hear your voice
I wish i knew on what you’d now be making a choice
To be a part of your conversation
That would last me a lifetime
Its scary how much you mean to me…
In my fantasy
Like the emotions are even past Heaven
And the only time we’ve been apart
Is getting through those biblical layers of seven
Y
Ain't a illusion but reality,
Your stardom, your limelight,
Your rich folks and my shame dress,
My heart begging tears to shed.
Ain't a Jack in box I promise
But a fairy light lost in spotlight,
All you were a short lived fantasy
While December joyed and February weeped.
Ain't a Silhouette but a soulful dream
Of my life's road driven in forest,
But Blind Folds on my glistening light,
Taking steps on pebbles of your life.
For your shining flashy life
On Billboard of my long night,
I'll keep our pictures hidden forever
So you can step in brightest smile.
Take not the road of ruin that is long
Walk on the gold and rivers of the Nile
With every breath praise life into your song
For darkness weeps and often comes along
Resting with wolves to greet you by the mile
Take not the road of ruin that is long
Simmer with senn and sage some soothe of strong
The weak divide their frown before they smile
With every breath praise life into your song
For life is but a path of right and wrong
Where we court life and death along the aisle
Take not the road of ruin that is long
Listen and learn and lay concrete lifelong
While taking steps tender upon the tile
With every breath praise life into your song
Become beauty and bliss where you belong
As errors tempt the trail you take by trial
Take not the road of ruin that is long
With every breath praise life into your song
First Person Villanelle
L Milton Hankins
08-04-2022
Took 5 steps forward only to be brought back 4, and here I go wanting more.
The promises to the myself now broken as you laid there beside me still spewing hate and revenge. Call and then saying your gone again.
Trained my pain to go away on a snap of a finger, but it still lingered..
Time goes by still on the thoughts of where’d you go again..
Replaying the very last bitter moments, closing stories and folding.
Proceeding differently, repeating history, and again to my misery; 4 steps back..
Taking steps forward ensuring the torture is now over.. steps…
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.