Progress
Things keep moving forward
with or without our help,
the arc of history & all that.
Sometimes, though, it feels like
we’re always looking in the rear-view mirror,
ignoring the oncoming traffic.
Sure there’s a way forward, sure.
The question is whether we can find it
in time, whether we can get the wagons
uncircled & heading off in the same general direction,
whether we’ll reach the mountain pass
before it begins to snow.
36 thoughts on "Progress"
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Poignant and timely.
“Sometimes, though, it feels like
we’re always looking in the rear-view mirror,
ignoring the oncoming traffic.”
It sure does feel that way.
Thanks, H.A.!
True that is. Thank you for this poem, Kevin
You are such an effective formalist! Very time. I love the subtle illusion to the Donner Party. Keep the poems coming.!
Thanks, Mike. And you’re welcome.
A trochee promise, kept until it’s broken. Nice.
Thanks, Charles! I don’t usually think consciously about meter when I’m writing poems, but it’s there in the back of my mind. Anyhow thanks for pointing it out here.
Title!!!!
Yes !!!! What Charles said Bravo!
Love the Donner feel at the end.
And this form is perfect for this.
Top to bottom.
Thanks Coleman. I tried forgoing the indents and it just seemed flat without them. Maybe it represents forward progress that keeps falling back and starting over. Who knows?
It really works
Like, stop peering around for blue light behind you and try to avoid a head-on collision >=< ! I wouldn't have found the cannibals without Linda saying so. Cool.
Thanks, Inge! Linda was quick with the cannibals, wasn’t she? You can’t slip anything past her. 😉
your poem breaks open the truism about learning from history
Thanks Gaby!
I love that image of the wagon train, both a moving and still picture.
Thanks Nettie!
Love the informal tone and the inclusive “we,” and, yes, the tip of the hat to the Donners. Great grasp on what is happening today.
Thanks Sylvia!
I like the form of this poem
works with the message
❤️
Timely.
Yep: always looking in the rear-view mirror/ignoring the oncoming traffic.
Truth: whether get the wagons/uncircled & heading off in the same general direction/whether we’ll reach the mountain pass/ before it begins to snow.
Thanks Pam!
We needed this poem today Kevin! Thanks!
Thanks Linda!
Love this poem, and that metaphor in the last tercet.
❤️
Great metaphor with the wagon train. History repeats, and we supposedly teach history to children so they can avoid the pitfalls of their ancestors, but it doesn’t work, does it? We all seem to need to pee on the electric fence for ourselves instead of believing what the rearview mirror reflects.
Excellent poem. And I like the stepped presdentation on the page as you address progress, moving forward. Good choice!
Thanks! Peeing on the electric fence—now there’s an arresting image. 😏
I love the way the form keeps us moving forward. Your poem brought back memories of an early computer game my children played called “The Oregon Trail.”
Thanks Nancy! I’m guessing that computer game didn’t mention the Donner party.
Wonderful look at time and our focus. I read several times—you gave me so much to think about, so beautifully.
Thanks Michele!
The ending metaphor makes me wonder: Did covered wagons have rearview mirrors? Beautifully done!
You got me there, Greg! It is a flaw in the system of the poem. Maybe I’ll figure out how to fix it one of these days.
I love how the form and repetition of words continues to “move us forward” to that final image.
Thanks, Shaun!