Past Lives
Sometimes they are not dead.
Sometimes they just live far away,
and even if you stopped by for a visit
what words would persuade them
of your betterment, the worth
you finally achieved?
What could they do but listen and nod,
knowing what they know?
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Jean Ryan
Jean Ryan, a native Vermonter, lives in Lillian, Alabama. Her stories and essays have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. She has also published a novel, LOST SISTER. Her short story collections, SURVIVAL SKILLS and LOVERS AND LONERS, are available online. STRANGE COMPANY, a collection of short nature essays, is available in paperback as well as digital and audio editions.
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Jean Ryan 
Wow! I felt a chill hit my body. Funny that….I had just read an email from a former colleague whom I had to distance myself from because of something they did that was completely unacceptable. This called to mind the memory.
You’re amazing, Jean! Your Readers would love to know the origin and seed of this powerful poem’s story. Or not!
Thanks again for stopping by, John. The genesis of this poem? Regret, I guess. I was aiming for something universal.
In your usual economy of words, you say so much! 🤗
Thanks, Taya. I do love getting to the bones. 😊
Love this one. I’m going to pass this on to my wife as well.
Very kind of you. Thank you, Mark.