Dan L. Wallace

My life and me seemed inextricable
Chained to my past by memories despicable
Daily, the war waged within, too predictable
I need to get past my past.

I'm the sum of my experiences, that I get,
But they've added up to a person, sadly, I regret
Some sums, it seems, leave a deficit.
I've got to get past my past!

The person I was became a potter to the present
Shaping me, moulding me into something unpleasant
Cold, callous hands reaching through time, incessant.
Will I ever get past my past?

Is this it, my life hardened and set on this course?
Can anyone, anything, be some kind of recourse?
For me to have any hope for a future, of course...
I have to get past my past.

My mind needed care, as do all things untended,
Weeding out my past, a task, as yet unended
I still have bad days, but as I intended,
I'm starting to get past my past.

Much can be said for a positive attitude,
This needn't be cast off as an empty platitude,
Find things in your life that fill you with gratitude,
These helped me get past my past.

Imperceptibly slow, procuring this change
A new, stronger version of me I arranged
My past gradually felt more and more estranged
I was getting past my past!

Like autumn leaves, periodically I fall,
Yet unlike the leaves, I get back up and stand tall,
My past has no lasting hold on me after all, for...
At last, I am past my past!

The fears of a father in this world are not few.
Over time they may shift in their shape, shade, or hue,
But the one that keeps calling, keeps knocking my door,
"What happens when she doesn't need me anymore?"

Right now, I'm her hero, her joker, her friend.
Must the passing of time bring all that to an end?
Everyone tells me, "They grow up so fast."
How do I hold on to what I know will not last?

These thoughts most afflict me on nights starved of sleep
Like treading water in emotion, too vast and too deep.
Too soon will I slip beneath the surface, from view,
Replaced in her heart by a hero anew.

If you fight fire with fire, can I fight fear with fear?
"What happens if I don't make the time count right here?"
"What if work or sports or other things hold sway?"
"Would I be happy with that when I'm old and gray?"

Let it be my resolve to be fully engaged
In her life, while I can, before she gets engaged.
I'll keep safe in my heart, every laugh, every smile,
Until that day arrives to walk my girl down the aisle.

Make yourself at home, my love
Please curl up in a chair
While away the hours, my love
Relax, be free of care

For my heart belongs to you, my love
It has since first we met
I've handed you the keys, my love
You give no need to fret

You are the perfect tenant, my love
How you care for this heart of mine
I entrust it into your hands, my love
It's yours for all of time

So make yourself at home, my love
Don't look elsewhere, don't roam
I'll be the man you need, my love
Just make my heart your home

Each day unveils an opportunity,
What sort of person do I want to be?
Focus on myself, look out for number one?
Regret is what lingers when all's said and done.

Far better, no doubt, to make over my mind,
To do good toward others, to show love and be kind,
I do have it in me; I can make that choice,
To do good with my hands, do good with my voice,
So I'll give it some thought, and tomorrow you'll see,
The person I know, deep down, I can be.