Past Tense

I want to live my life in the present

but my past intervenes without my consent.

Memories from a far-off time flood back

and I am unable

to defend myself from their attack.

The decisions I made all those years ago

now raise their heads and won’t let go.

What if? Is the most common question,

the answer only add to my depression.

I know I must learn from past mistakes

and pretend

what happened before was just an outtake.