Opal Reflections
Perspectives through Prose, Poetry and Photography
Just Yesterday (Speakeasy #147)
“There was a time when things were different.”
Many things were different,
Everything was different.
Was it a dream or was it
Just yesterday?
Just yesterday,
The weathered, well-pruned arborvitae lay prone
‘neath the blizzardly burden of winter’s shawl,
Only (soon) to spring forth yellow shoots.
Today, the shrubs grow wild.
Just yesterday,
Robby climbed high into the flowering plum’s
accessible limbs; tenderfoot-holds
for young-uns’ adventures.
Today, the tree is gone.
Just yesterday,
Aunt Jane returned from tropic isles,
Carry-ons stuffed with trinkets,
Carvings, purple-red parrot-pair.
Today, they perch ‘mid attic dust.
Just yesterday,
He learned to whittle carvings from Dad,
A rustic red-pine rocker for Mom,
Splines stained, and sanded smooth.
Today, remembering, he rocks.
Just yesterday,
Everything was different,
Life’s winding paths unfolded,
But we lived too near the forest.
Today, with hindsight’s clarity, we see.
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http://www.yeahwrite.me/speakeasy/147-open/”>
This was written for Speakeasy #147, using the given first line (in bold), and making reference to the prompt photo below:
24 Comments on “Just Yesterday (Speakeasy #147)”
I'd appreciate your feedback (Please, leave a comment)!
Lighthouse in the Mist, Cape May, NJ
Bandit
Festive View from the Pub, Peddler’s Village – Lahaska, PA.
Home Sweet Home
Opal Reflections 
Lovely Poem it is so nostalgic and gentle in its remembering.
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Clever poem expressing beautiful memories.
Isadora
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Thank you.
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A lovely, lovely poem with an important message. Your use of the parrot prompt was great. I enjoyed this!
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Thank you. We actually did have an Aunt Jane who always returned from her world travels with souvenirs – usually none as lovely as the parrots pictured in the prompt.
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A beautiful poem full of rich imagery-the events unfolding so smoothly:-)Yes,time does seem to fly & how!Loved the flow in here Joanne 🙂
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Thank you Atreyee. Your comments, as always are welcomed and appreciated.
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🙂
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Beautifully done, Joanne! Love the sense of time moving forward while we look back. Great structure! 🙂
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Thanks, Suzanne. The older I get, the more I see the value in understanding the past.
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I like the use of ‘Just Yesterday’ not just for the rhythm but how it makes the reader relate more.
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Thank you. I guess we can all relate to that concept of “Just Yesterday”,
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Just yesterday ..so close yet so far away. Nice poem.
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And today is still a pearl waiting to be harvested. Thank you for your comment.
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Another extraordinary poem from you. This is beautiful and subtle; infused with melancholy and a touch of the bittersweet. I love it.
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Thank you.
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This is another beautiful poem. Hindsight does offer a clarity that we don’t have in the moment.
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Yes, and changes happens before our eyes, while we are sweating the small stuff. Thank you, Janna.
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I not only love this poem but I also get the very personal meaning, cause I am your sister
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Thanks, Ei. You are witness to my life! Love you.
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I like your poem.
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I’m glad you do! Thanks for commenting…please come back soon.
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I really like this poem, it’s beautifully written and wonderfully evocative!
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Thank You very much.
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