Stepping Forward to the Past

Stepping forward to the past
on the path you tip toe -
tip toe on,
tip toe off,
walking,
retreating,
the wavering dance -
clarity and decision
marred by doubt,
colored by uncertainty.
Twirling.
Circling.
Going nowhere.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

Wait, what is that you say?
I am then a hypocrite
if I keep going this way?
Yes.
I accept my fault
with too much truth.
Was that meant
to change something?
Did you think I was unaware?
I know what I am.
I know where I stand.
Stepping forward,
to the past.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

I come from that place,
from the in between.
I do not want to travel back,
to watch the ties that remain
unravel before me,
in the wake that I cannot be
all that is expected of me.
I am between two worlds,
both laying claim,
both claiming part,
none accepting all,
accepting all of me.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

Don't you see?
I do not even belong
in the in between -
I cannot build my home
in the clamor of a waystation.
None is meant to stay here long.
In leaving now the between
I disappoint them,
and I disappoint them;
all the same
and they can lay
equal claim,
equal blame,
on my failure to be
enough.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

You say I presume
I know that your story.
But is not written
in the same verse as mine?
No dear heart,
I presume no comprehend
of your infinity.
I only hope to comment
on your uncertainty,
your fear of the trail you are on.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

You do not belong
on the death march
of the in between,
when so much of you
yearns to carry on.
Run from here!
Run!
Step forward,
never looking back.
Step forward
to the future,
never
to the past.

Listen -
turn back,
move on,
go a different way.

Yes, fade from here,
from the limbo
between times we know.
I wait here
until I do not
to turn back travelers
who do not know -
here is where
forever,
until the very last,
we step forward to the past.

Run.