John has been writing poetry since his school days. He was awarded "Poet of the Year 2014" Hubby Awards and has had two poems become songs.

Commemorating Those Who Came Before

This poem is my attempt to in some way those incredible individuals who in some way shaped our world and made it what it is today.

Without these pioneers, healers, brilliant minds, artists, and even rebels, life as we know it would have been much different. Better or worse, we owe so much to those who came before us.

Where Are They Now?

Where are they now -

the pioneers,

the ones who came before,

the ones who forged a new frontier,

and braved the vast unknown?

Where are they now -

the wise ones,

the ones with brilliant minds,

the ones who changed our thinking

and thought outside the box?

Where are they now -

the caring ones,

the ones who gave their all,

the ones whose lives were selfless

to help impoverished souls?

Where are they now -

the healers,

the ones who cured the sick,

the ones who cared nothing for praise,

just to rid the world's disease?

Where are they now -

the rebels,

the ones who pushed for change,

the ones who fought for freedom,

to defeat established wrongs?

Where are they now -

the scientists,

the ones who made their mark,

the ones who shaped the world we have,

not knowing what would come?

Where are they now -

the lovers,

the ones who shared their hearts,

the ones who loved their fellow man

and cared nothing for wealth?

Where are they now -

the artists,

the ones who pleased our eyes,

the musicians, painters, dancers

who made us feel alive?

Where are they now -

the writers,

The ones who told their tales,

the ones who helped us all escape

Into another world?

© 2018 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on July 04, 2018:

yes, Peggy. We have to keep building on the legacy others have left us. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 04, 2018:

So many people have gone before us and a few have left indelible marks. We hopefully keep building upon their discoveries, inventions, worldly wisdom and so forth to benefit mankind and our planet.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 11, 2018:

Thanks Lawrence. Yes, they did , and we need to.

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on June 11, 2018:

Where are they now?

They passed their baton to us, its up to us to run with it.

Blessings

Lawrence

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 08, 2018:

Yes Chris, that was precisely the message I wanted. Glad you liked the poem and the meter. Cheers.

Chris Mills from Traverse City, MI on June 08, 2018:

John, I like the flow and meter of this poem. The subtle message to me is that we should be willing to step up and fill the gap left by those who came before. Thanks for sharing this piece.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 07, 2018:

Li-Jen, yes, sometimes we take a lot for granted. Life can seem too easy and we don't even consider who sacrificed what to bring us to this point. Thanks for reading.

Li-Jen Hew on June 07, 2018:

Hey Jodah, you poem reiterates the right question. It never occurs to people about how they are able to live comfortably and who sacrificed for them. Thank for sharing. Should keep that in mind. :)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 29, 2018:

Yes, Ann. I am sure you are right and in years to come there will be many from this current generation who will be remembered for their achievements also. Thanks for your generous comment. I am glad you like this poem especially.

Ann Carr from SW England on May 29, 2018:

Wonderful poem, John! Indeed, we owe so much to those who fought for their beliefs and passions often against the odds. We have all these amazing paintings to look at, buildings which hold us in awe and innovations which improve our lives.

Hopefully there are many today about whom we'll be able to say the same in a few decades' time.

One of your best, for me anyway.

Ann

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 17, 2018:

So glad you liked this poem, Nell. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Nell Rose from England on May 17, 2018:

What a fantastic poem John! and so true. those people were so strong and moulded our lives and futures. Great words and emotions.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 17, 2018:

Oh Missy, thank you for that wonderful comment. It is good to know that my poetry touches people in some way. You are always so encouraging and I really appreciate you.

Missy Smith from Florida on May 17, 2018:

I always love your poetry, John. I feel like I'm floating through clouds when I read it. Your flow is so perfect, and I'm joyful as I bounce off each word. The one who told his tale; the one who helps us escape is - John Hansen! Thanks!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 15, 2018:

Wow! flourish, that was an unexpected compliment. I was pleased with this piece and I felt the need to get away from rhyme for a change. So, glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

FlourishAnyway from USA on May 15, 2018:

This is probably your best piece of writing. I simply loved it. It reminded me of the quote about standing on the shoulders of giants, as that is what we do in many fields.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 15, 2018:

Great comment, Val my friend. You make valid points as always..no one is fully appreciated until they are gone, so yes there are many unsung heroes around today awaiting their fame or infamy. Thamks for adding value to this poem.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 15, 2018:

Frank, thank you for your kind support and encouragement. It's always appreciated.

Val Karas from Canada on May 15, 2018:

John---A fascinating piece of poetry, my friend! Well, the tragic thing about anybody or anything of some value it that they get a full appreciation only once when gone.

There are some unsung heroes these days who may not be reshaping our way of life with rifles and tireless pursue of their ideals, but in culture, science, art, many of them having to push against resistance of the old schools of thought which refuse to die.

Life is not changing so fast lately without somebody's spirit propelling that drive.

So, chances are, some day in the future, while reading your beautiful poems, someone may ask ---"Where is that poet now?"

Thank you for sharing it with us, my friend.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on May 15, 2018:

Mister Poet, carefully crafting your vocation.. your poems are one of a kind John, and I say that because it's true... Bravo my friend.. bravo

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2018:

Sean, your generous comment and kind words are greatly appreciated.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2018:

Thanks MsDora. Yes, I remember that song by Peter, Paul and Mary..wonderful. I should have included it here.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2018:

Bill, the pioneers were a brave bunch.thanks for reading this, I always appreciate your time.

Ioannis Arvanitis from Greece, Almyros on May 14, 2018:

Amazing my friend John! Brilliant! What I think is that your poem is a tribute to humanity!

I admire your talent, and I will say:

They are still here, now

and they will be still here

as long as Love make the world

a place of hope and dreams

like yours beautiful words

or Manatita's

Respect!

Sean

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on May 14, 2018:

Your poem reminds me the old song, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" by Peter, Paul and Mary. The flowers recycled. The pioneers, artists, writers and others ought to live on in our hearts, like they do in yours. Good tribute!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 14, 2018:

The pioneer spirit has always fascinated me. I love this tribute to those individuals who in some cases had more guts than good sense. :)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2018:

Hey Nikki, thank you for that wonderful comment. Yes, the world has been influenced by both heroes and villains and in some way we need to acknowledge them all.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2018:

Hi Hari, I agree with your observation. The media probably does create and destroy heroes now...so will any of this generation make it to legend staus..let's see.

Nikki Khan from London on May 14, 2018:

This is a glorious dedication to all the heroes and villains who came before us to change the world and to shape it the way we’ve found it.

We appreciate their efforts to make this earth a better place for us to live on.

And we also owe some to our rebels and evil persons who showed us a better way to choose from their bad one.

Thanks for reminding us all of them John.

Hari Prasad S from Bangalore on May 14, 2018:

Great poem John.

The making of legends is somethings this generation will find it impossible to occur.

The reason probably could be that legends had a kind of seclusion, innocence, inquisitiveness, visionary inventiveness. Today media coverage is too much dependent on sensationalism and internet never forgets minor faults of character, which too are part of.making of legends of yesteryears.

- Hari