Fruit of Tainted Trees

Recollection was on the path
from the thought of who we are
with the past as the route walked
to the now in front of us

then came mad gibbering
ghosts evoking their shrill cries
casting doubt on today
placing veils I must displace

resemblance asked against the whole
of those who came before
bears the fruit of tainted trees
when the judge is memory

a comparison to recall's fog
is less solid than clouds above
yet it's the measure to ones before
this norm for stating what will come

judgment granted against bygone times
the harm, the joy, the rest of life
disregards the blessed now
the only way of the future paths.

© 2017. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20171018.

“Fruit of Tainted Trees” was inspired by the Anaïs Nin quote, “I do not recall anyone to whom you bear the slightest resemblance. You remind me only of yourself…”.  I took the “recalling anyone” and turned it into the larger recalling of the past.  While the past seems to be a predictor of the present, the judgment of people based on the past is a problematic activity.