Looking Back

The past has passed
its limits clear 
looking back to birth
across the years

we see what we saw
and nothing new
our death midst our life
is the only view

If we could only 
let go and turn
to view the future
we could learn

life is a cycle that
ever renews
and all is growth if
we but choose

c. 2008 (written 7/13/08 in response to "the Face of the Beast" by Rilke)