The Present by Margaret Colville

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow still a mystery
But today’s a present, heaven sent
Unwrap it to find that inner content.
 
Yesterday is made of ‘Why?’
Why did I kick the cat, or tell that lie?
Or spoil another’s day of fun?
So many things I wish undone.
Self-flagellation is counter-productive,
Although living gloomily is very seductive.
 
Tomorrow is ‘What? What dire event?
Will it be an accident?
Will the roof cave in, will there be a fire?
Or someone I know about to expire?
 
OR…
Yesterday can be made of praise:
Thanks for friends, joys of holidays.
Thanks for the sunshine, thanks for the rain,
Thanks for the flowers, for fields of grain.
Praise can invade our histories,
Which can then help us face up to life’s mysteries.
 
And Tomorrow’s mysteries we take on trust,
Resting on faith and hope as we must,
Definitely needing every assistance
To survive in this crazy, mixed up existence.
 
BUT
 
Remember that heaven-sent present of Today.
Today is the day for making our choice:
Will we choose to travel the gloomy way?
Or find little details to help us rejoice?
Will we choose those options creative and positive,
To make the most of the Present
In which we all live.