Years Long Ago

if we returned to the places we lived in before
if we turned from all that we’d gained
if we lived out a life that we struggled to change
just to turn back the calendar page
then we’d see that our memory betrayed us
we’d see what had frightened us so
we’d hear all the voices that fall silent now
pieces of years long ago
some people say if you live in the past
it can make sight much clearer
the turning and churning of gears in their heads
squeaking from rust and decay
then tomorrow is just incidental
awful, deliberate and slow
turning alone like a clock on a shelf
backward — to years long ago
I cannot live in the past anymore
no need to understand why
the smile on your face blows the vacuum away
gone with the wink of your eye
can we rearrange furniture sleeping
grab hold and never let go
buy some new shoes and walk you and me
away from the years long ago