Like a trip along the Icknield Way,
My journey began long ago
And contains many ghosts.
In the beginning, it was euphoric
Everything was new and exciting,
Even the missteps were intriguing.
My needs and desires were all met.
Companions surrounded me.
Worry, and fear were at bay.
Treading the footsteps of the past,
I slowly learned to navigate.
Some faces stayed, others changed.
In time, I found a path worth exploring.
With solemn and curious eyes I set out,
And left the past behind.
Like a ghost caught between two worlds,
Though, the past does not know how to die.
It haunts and guides me along my way.
Every time that I try to forget that it exists,
It reaches out and pulls me back.
“I am still here,” it whispers in my ear.
Now, I know the past is not to be ignored.
Without its ghosts, we walk blindly on our journey
With no map to guide us across the land.
by Cody McCullough
Photo by Cody McCullough
Cody McCullough Writes: 
i love the line -“without its ghosts we walk blindly…” that is perfect. great poem!
Thank you for your comments about “The Journey Begins….” It’s actually the first part of a three part poem. Each part of the poem, closes out each of the three collections that make up “The Past, Present, and Future.” I hope you like the other two parts as well.
You had me at your first!!!! I loved it!
Now, I know the past is not to be ignored.
Without its ghosts, we walk blindly on our journey
With no map to guide us across the land.
Iconic!
But then I am a girl all about the past (trying to come to grips but this poem was so validating!!!) and then you wrote>>> Every time that I try to forget that it exists,
It reaches out and pulls me back.
“I am still here,” it whispers in my ear.
Ahhhh I am in love with that line!
so I KNOW I am going to have a great time wandering through your pages!
Thank you for you comment about my poem. When I wrote this poem, I tried to close out “The Past,” but also open the door to “The Present.” In the end, I’m extremely satisfied with how it turned out.
May it be a good path.
I hope so too.
I love your poem about the past. It is so true that it never forgets.
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like my writings about the past. “The Past” is one of my favorite collections.
Unfortunately, the clock is ticking, the hours are going by. The past increases, the future recedes. Possibilities decreasing, regrets mounting.
Thank you for your wonderful comment.
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Cody, I am so moved by this particular poem, “The Journey Begins….”. You hit the nail on the head. This piece is so smooth, with the progressions and transitions that you describe, and the reminders that take place during a lifetime in regard to the past. Thank you for sharing such a lovely poem.
Take care,
Pepper
I’m glad you like this one Pepper. It is one of my favorites too. Thank you for your comment. You always have good thoughts to share. 🙂