Janus
Which face to wear?
Looking forward
or back? The past,
both blessing and weight,
does not cease to be,
even as what will be
approaches. To know
both is not possible,
yet one gives insight
to the other. I wear both.
This is my response to Reena’s Xploration Challenge # 264. It’s January, and Reena asks us to consider Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings, who is depicted as having two faces.
Shared with OpenLink Night LIVE at dVerse ~ Poets Pub.
rivrvlogr 
Wonderful recitation. I am now following you SoundCloud!
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Ah, thank you!
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It was wonderful to hear you read this, Ken!
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Thank you, Merril. 😀
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You’re welcome, Ken. 🙂
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I enjoyed hearing you read this thoughtful reflection on January, Ken. It does seem to take a little of both looking back and moving forward!
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And hopefully for the better!
Thank you, Dwight.
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Yes!
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This is absolutely stellar writing, Ken! ❤️❤️ Janus .. being the god of beginnings .. often puts me in the mind of forks in the road. There is so much to contemplate. Should one look back and recall the mistakes made in the past? Or brush them aside and move forward? I enjoyed hearing you read this tonight 😀
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Thank you, Sanaa. Yes, it’s something to consider at all times, not just in the new year.
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I really enjoyed hearing you read this….and now reading it here, it is even more meaningful. The past, both blessing and weight. Each of us is a Janus…..this poem carries much meaning.
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Thank you, Lillian.
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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Cool poem,Ken!
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🙂 Thanks.
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I read somewhere that that past is not behind us, but ahead of us; we are the ones following. Your poem reminds me of this thought. (K)
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If only we could think “back” to the future.
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That would be a good trick.
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A perfect philosophical poem to start the year, Ken!
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Thank you, Ingrid. 🙂
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Nice job Ken. The two-faced God makes me squirm every year! ☺️
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Thank you, Christine. All we can do is try to resolve to do better.
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I always thought it interesting that the term “two-faced” comes from Janus, the god of doorways, transitions, beginning and endings. Such duality is always perplexing, and we are uncomfortable with it. Takes bravery to wear both faces! 👏👏
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Thank you, Tricia. Maybe we shouldn’t live in the past, but it can guide us if we listen closely.
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Yes, there are many lessons! 💯
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Yep Ken, Who was it said that if you don’t learn from the past you’ll make the same mistakes all over again.
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Thanks, John. We need to remind ourselves, now and then.
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Outstanding piece! I like the format.
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🙂 Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
Janus … by Ken Gierke
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Thanks for sharing this, Reena.
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You are welcome.
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