old roads

too new, should grow

when I was a girl

riding along

in the back seat

of the old station wagon

with my grandparents,

 

I remember

pappaw always going out of his way

to take the old road . . .

 

miles out of the way

sometimes

 

that old road curved more,

had more character,

suited him better,

 

and I wonder

sometimes

if he wasn't longing

to get back to the old ways

 

with no way of knowing

what the old ways

might be

Reviews

[Sel Whiteley]

Wow, that's one stunning write, taking the bendier, more characterful (and character-building roads°. Love the succinct lines within this and the use of diction such as pappaw which I've never heard before and gives a definite idea of place. You draw the family scene so vividly and nostalgically, I love it.

[Jouni Sakari]

Oh yes , you took me with you . . . and I saw the scenes , the fields , the forests and the funny travel of the clouds . . . the old ways were the paths , I suppose , that the cattle tramped going to their ponds for water . . . oldest ways might be those of the fish . . . took me deep in the Ocean of Creation . Thank you .

[Lizy Coale]

this is a gorgeous poem! i loved how you did the whole play on words with the ways and the old roads (which are ways, haha, yay). i also liked the irony that your pawpaw doesnt know what the old ways are, when technically he should have come from them... it reminds me of whats deemed "revisionist history" and i feel like its an inevitable thing among personal tales of the past.

[Chris Smith Welshpoetcs]

Excellent poem my friend.

[Miss Fox]

The nostalgia of your grandfather hits me. To make a reader feel like the characters in the poem is a true talent. Well done, Ms. Burns.

[zig]

now this i really like. and thinking about what you were saying the other day, you are right, sometimes simplicity is best, not just in art but in life. i love old road, there is no "automatic" driving on old roads, every inch of them must be observed, experienced. nicely done emily, enjoyed very much.

zig

[TamiViolet]

This one instantly reminds me an old song I once heard on a movie where the mother sings it to her teenage son.... 'take the long way home; take the long way home'.... old roads are so much more interesting, just like old houses....and their mystery is unsurpassed....highways are like bland food....you know. Your poem really takes the reader back to those days most happy.... My pap had an old station wagon, too BTW...my friends and I would load in and head for the mountains.... You make me smile, Emily. Thanks :-) Love it.

[Brianna Brie]

This is so simply stated yet profoundly thoughtful. Much like the simplicity and comfort found on a Sunday drive. Excellent content!

[Ladysue]

this is such a wonderful sentiment...I loved it...