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The Past

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Author's Notes: "The Past," is a Heroic Couplet I wrote and set in Iambic Pentameter. I wrote this particular poem as a narrative statement on certain events, occurrences, and situations which are reflective of and bespeak experiences of the past or past tense. I am currently in the process of writing two other follow-on heroic couplets that will consider mankind's time dimension from the standpoints of the "Present," and the "Future." Please note that I got the idea of using the phrase "wantonness and wit" listed in the sixth stanza, first verse, from Sir Walter Raleigh's famous 16th century poem: "Nature that Washed Her Hands in Milk." In this instance, "wantonness and wit" as I used it my poem can be likened to people being "of free play and of free intelligence" in how they conduct themselves and their affairs. (Yet now, such actions are no longer possible since they are dead and buried and consigned to the past or the past tense.) (Gary Bateman - December 25, 2014) (Heroic Couplet in Iambic Pentameter)

Categories: allegory, change, imagery, journey, metaphor, time, and wisdom.

("How Many Syllables Counter" was used for syllable confirmation for both automated and manual syllable counts and cross-check.)

The Past One’s former footprints in the sands of time, Engraved and set for all to see in kind. A time period of was and had been, And descriptive too of what might have been. A former snapshot of motion frozen, Of people or an event so chosen. A historical fact so great or grave, That the procession of time has so saved. An enchanted dream one dreamt deep and well, Which is gone and one now can only tell. A past moment of wantonness and wit, Dead now and buried so deep in a pit. A wondrous parade of epochs in time, Now bygone for poets to set in rhyme. Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved (December 25, 2014) (Heroic Couplet)

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Heidi Sands

Date: 1/30/2018 6:25:00 PM

Well written Gary! :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 1/31/2018 2:00:00 PM

Thanks Heidi for your deep here!! I'm very glad you liked this Heroic Couplet. Cheers and Best, Gary

M. L. Kiser

Date: 12/27/2014 2:20:00 PM

I love the way you depict the past in this poem; that is indeed, the way that it leaves us.

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/27/2014 3:26:00 PM

Thanks again for reading ML. (This was actually my first post in the trilogy I wrote.) Past is always prologue!! Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 12/27/2014 1:46:00 PM

love the style in which you drew this gary golden pen gary keep the old ink flowing dear pal

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 12/27/2014 9:23:00 AM

My goodness, what a philosophic depth! Gary, mein freund this is extraordinary, just a seven to give is an injustice! we have to remember that not even God could change the past!

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/27/2014 9:33:00 AM

Herr Professor!! Ich bedanke mich sehr fuer deinen Kommentar hier. Das freut mich auch sehr. "The Past" was actually my first write (25 Dec), followed by "The Present" (26 Dec), and I just posted earlier today: "The Future" (27 Dec) which completes heroic couplet trilogy. (Ingrid thinks I'm becoming a "philosopher" -- HA! HA! But I did enjoy researching and writing these!! They will be in my book this next year!! Thanks for the "7." Best Always, Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/26/2014 6:08:00 PM

Of course having read The Present, I had to come back and read this one too! Beautiful as well!!!

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2014 10:29:00 PM

Thanks Arthur!! I just finished "The Future" and will be posting it later today. With this last one, my planned trilogy will be complete. I have actually learned a number of things from this particular writing experience. Best Always!! Gary

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 12/26/2014 1:30:00 AM

The past so known the face of what have been ..I can read every expression and smiling line,each frown left marked..But so mysterious is what might have been,I often wonde.The past can make us its slave,chain us to memory,or if used wisely it can lead us for better tomorrows.Really enjoyes this Gary.Hope you had a blessed Christmas .

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2014 10:15:00 AM

Hello Charmaine!! Continued best wishes for the holiday season, and I hope too that you had a most wonderful Christmas!! What you say about the Past is quite true. I certainly adhere to the historical notion that "Past is Prologue." When people ignore this, they tend to be surprise later. The Past can be used wisely to better guide our respective futures. (I hope so!!) Best Always, Gary

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/26/2014 1:10:00 AM

I love how you said it in the last couplet: Now bygone for poets to set in rhyme. let's hope we can do them justice!!

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2014 10:10:00 AM

Hello Andrea!! Best Holiday Wishes to you my friend!! I certainly agree with the sentiments of your comment. To me, "Poetry" among many things is a mirror by which we poets can peer into and ponder the very soul of mankind and the human endeavor. And, as you note, "let's hope we can do them justice." Exactly right!! Best Always, Gary

Kayod5 Kayode

Date: 12/25/2014 11:17:00 PM

Exactly Gary,a beautiful past or an ugly one, the fact remains there is a past. A wonderful work with meter and rhyme;merry Christmas my friend...huggs

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2014 10:03:00 AM

Hi KAYOD5 . . . I writing my response to you here in "Present Progressive" that will soon be in the "Past" as I post it!! I am quite pleased you liked this think-piece heroic couplet. I'm currently working on "The Present" and "The Future" which will complete this particular poetic trilogy. Merry Second Day of Christmas!! Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter

Date: 12/25/2014 11:08:00 PM

Hi Gary! I really love your piece here this is such a wonderful write about the past my dearest friend Gary. Awesome piece! You got the golden pen! As I said it before you are a great poet! You and Liam. When we read the great poets from the past we learn a lot from them to apply it to our writes and that's a fact be good or bad. So much to learn from the past what to do and not to do. The past be good or bad is something we all have to learn to deal with in everything we go thru life every day of our lives. If we're wise we learn from mistakes made in the past and avoid repeat them or live to regret it sometimes. Past is part of our life here on earth without past there's no present nor future.The way I see when we learn from it we'll gain greater wisdom to go thru life in everything better. Wish you a very happy Holiday Season and New Year to you and Ingrid! A solid 7 for you!:) Love and hugs! D.

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2014 9:59:00 AM

Hello "D" -- I thoroughly enjoyed your read and narrative review of my Heroic Couplet here. You're right, the Past is the foundation for the Present and Future. There's an old saying: "Past is Prologue." Some people don't think about this, nor do they realize it!! I have two more of these coming out on "The Present" and "The Future." My Best Wishes Always!! XOXO, Gary

Paul Callus

Date: 12/25/2014 4:42:00 PM

#7 rating Gary! Some declare that we should disregard and forget the past...good thing you did not quite follow that advice, otherwise this excellent poem would not have been written! Admire your rhyme and meter. [maybe 2nd to last line..(a) wondrous procession of epochs in time] // paul

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/25/2014 6:04:00 PM

Thanks so much Paul!! As I mentioned in my Author's Notes, I'm working now on the two follow-on companion poems to this one which will be Heroic Rhymed Couplets as well: "The Present" and "The Future." My decision to use this style of couplet set in Iambic Pentameter seemed to fit my write very well. (I got the idea for this write from reading "The Present," a famous poem by the Irish poet Michael Donaghy.) Best!! Gary