Tethers Poem by Ray Andrews

I'm told by many knowing folks
To live today for today
Forget about tomorrow
Don't live in yesterday

While my past doesn't haunt me
And I don't for the future brood
I've recently stopped and wondered
About the motives in my mood

Are yesterdays troubles blown away
Like sand on a desert sea?
Or are they imbedded so very deep
They're a permanent part of me?

An apology for my action
Amending a past transgress
Asking the creator's forgiveness
Are supposedly for the best

They're supposed to wash a soul
And set a body free
But many past connections
Keep their hooks in me

Both my body and my mind
Have grown from the past
Even with acts of contrition
At least some tehter lasts

By tomorrow morning
Today will be the past
I need to look quite closely
To what the new tether is fast

And in the following day
Again a tie to the 'fore
I want the unfolding symphony
To yeild more than before

If I try to fill each day
With goodwill, peace and love
The golden entwining tethers
Will be graced by heaven above

Today's connection to yesterday
Are part of what I will be cast
With many loving yesterdays
Today will be blessed by the past