Windshield

The view on my windshield is smudged, marked, foggy
Stained from rains and snows of the seasons
The wipers only take away rain as it falls
But leave tracks and dirt on the glass
So even as the sun shines, it is hard to see ahead
Through all of the stains

The view behind is crystal clear
No marks from rain since it runs right off
I see what has passed with ease and I can catch details
    hidden by fog before
It all seems so understandable looking behind through that window

Its a lot like my world...
My view ahead is marked by fears and conceptions
Often ones remaining from long ago "rains"
Things I insist on believing through assumption or thought
They cloud my view of the future and what is really going on in front of me
I wipe tears off my cheeks but their tracks stain my eyes and heart
Even as the sun shines and I am happy it is still difficult to see ahead true
But...
Looking back I see it all so plain
I see what happened in retrospect and how it wasn't me or wasn't that
The back view gives context to it, takes away immediate feeling
Makes me understand what I have been through on my journey

Why is it after the fact that I see all that has passed?
Why can't I have that vision as I drive ahead before me?
I'd rather see ahead clearly where I am going than where I have been
I suppose you learn about the journey forward by understanding and   
   remembering the journey left behind
In the rearview mirror in your heart.