Today



You can’t look back at yesterday
It is no longer there -
And don’t look for tomorrow
You’ve not yet breathed that air

You’re left with just the here and now
This moment you are in
For soon, today will too be gone
And will not come again

What will be the mark you leave
To show you passed this way -
Will someone remember you
Or what you had to say?

Do you smile or speak to friends
When passing on the street?
Or do you turn the other way
So that your eyes don’t meet?

The saying goes, as we all know
‘To Thine Own Self Be True’ -
So let your actions and your words
Reflect the best of you

And if by chance, you do not see
The sun rise on the morrow -
Be certain that you’ve left a hint
Of love, and not of sorrow…

About this poem

I wrote this poem as a reminder that each day is a chance to make a difference because yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised.

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Written on February 14, 2023

Submitted by lanhamleslie on February 18, 2023

Modified on May 03, 2023

48 sec read
375

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCB XXXX XADA XEAE CDXD ACXC
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 738
Words 160
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Leslie Kay Lanham

Mother, Grandmother, and happily retired. Part time poet and lyricist. Studied at Troy University. Currently resides in Pensacola, Florida. more…

All Leslie Kay Lanham poems | Leslie Kay Lanham Books

15 fans

Discuss the poem Today with the community...

8 Comments
  • bevgeorge
    I love this. Thank you for your talent and sentiment.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • rnadc
    Good stuff...
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • carmenc4you
    Wow good one Congrats
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Symmetry58
    Another beautiful work of art, Leslie. You are always worthy of recognition.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lanhamleslie
      I appreciate your “critique” more than you can imagine. You have definitely boosted my confidence.
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • npirandy
    Great job, Leslie. I really love poems with good rhythm and a final message. Keep up the good work. I'll be watching for more of your stuff.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lanhamleslie
      Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. I truly appreciate the compliment.
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • lovingempath
    This is beautiful Leslie. Perfect in every way, and leaves a lingering message for our hearts. Congratulations!
    LikeReply 21 year ago
    • lanhamleslie
      Thank you very much for the kind words.
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Terrificgmay
    It resonated with my soul. The words, the flow the meaning of the poem was simply beautiful.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • karenh.56268
    I love the emphasis on the fact that how you act and what you do leaves a mark on others. I think we all need to realize that how we live our life is how we will be remembered. It should be a mission each day to be a blessing to other people. 
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lanhamleslie
      Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words.
      LikeReply1 year ago

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"Today" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Oct. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/153602/today>.

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