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Notes About The Poem

Unveiling Eternity: A Poem in Seven Acts

Have you ever gazed at the stars, those celestial pinpricks in the vast expanse, and wondered about the nature of time? Does it indeed march forward, or is it an illusion masking a deeper truth? This poem explores the concept of eternity through the lens of two giants of thought: Augustine of Hippo and Joseph Campbell.

Augustine suggests eternity as a whole, encompassing all moments simultaneously, whereas Campbell asserts it is present within the "now." Join us on a lyrical journey through these contrasting perspectives, as we look into the expanses of the wind, the desires of the heart, and the secrets carried on the breeze. Prepare to confront the grand illusion of time itself, and discover the possibility that eternity might be closer than we think. 

 

- Blessings, 
Daniel Henry Rodgers

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Eternity in Seven Acts

"Eternity is the simultaneous whole, seen all at once. This is the character of eternity, and this what the past and future are in God." - Augustine of Hippo

"Eternity is not the hereafter. This is it. If you don't get it here, you won't get it anywhere." - Joseph Campbell

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Eternity in Seven Acts
- Daniel Henry Rodgers 

I sit, meditate...

I

The stars! 
They are like neurons scattered 
in the night sky.
Quite a wholesome waltz. 
A place where starlight gently glide.
And time's grand illusion in this vast, 
widening world.


II

Before the Big Bang's 
sonance softly sleeps.
And starlight dims. 
Where ashen abeyance creeps.
Does this illusion then crumble in that hush?
Or basilisk-coiled by a ceaseless flow… 
forever onward rush?


III

Oh, heart of mine adrift on fleeting 
now-points' tide’.
A craving confiding, 
ever deep inside. 
Look a shore unseen... 
where the spectral palm trees -
are sighing. 
And the crystal waves are reflecting 
an endless sky.
 

IV

"Time!" whispers the wind, 
a voice vast yet so frail. 
"A river ever flows, 
across these barren sands." 
Yet, in the stillness, 
where the river meets the sea 
There is a fragment flimmering, 
of what will and ever be.


V

Like moths to flame, 
we chase the fleeting sun's xenia.
To pierce the facade, 
to conquer endless eventide.
But vanquish. 
A voice, a secret on the breeze.
"Eternity is here within; find love, 
and find total release." 
 

VI

Within the swirling atoms, 
stars set aflame, 
release the form, 
the clock along the finite line.
Each breath bemused of 
the deathless name, 
In love's lingering, 
where stardust rivers shine.
Eternity emanates, 
an endless love that is divine.
 

VII

Eternity's core! 
Seems like an eternal unwaning.
The Designer's steady hand, 
like a ceaseless reigning.
For there is no past nor future, 
just a fleeting employ.
These moments are like grains 
that fall through the unseen hand.
Just this, just now, 
in this eternal hand span.


Moments, 
ever-present “NOW”.
Dust motes dance, 
unseen…

I Breath in, out.

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"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." - Henry Van Dyke

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Susan Ashley Date: 5/24/2024 1:17:00 PM Dear Daniel, your verse overflows the brim of my heart, soul, intellect and imagination with engaging poetic expression. The reflection and contemplation upon the nature of time and the exploration of the concept of eternity is put upon the poetic page with great effect, beauty and finesse. Your meditation produces profound results. I enjoyed reading this masterwork several times as I absorbed its fluid yet intricate artistry and potency. A tremendous piece! Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan P.S. I enjoyed pondering all three quotes but the one I align with the most is Van Dyke's. Thank you for a wonderful inspiring poetic experience :) Login to Reply

Duke Beaufort Date: 5/15/2024 9:25:00 AM Daniel, I like how stanza II confronts the question of whether our universe will expand forever or collapse. We really have a very limited perception of time and space on a practical basis. I really like how you deal with the concept of eternity. It's something very difficult to understand, and I agree with your ending Van Dyke citation as it's all we have in our limited understanding of what we're but a small part of. Login to Reply

Gary Radice Date: 5/10/2024 2:05:00 PM Just reading through the comments from other Soupers here Daniel provides testament to your great skills as a poet. I wish to add my voice of admiration to the list too. This poem requires repeat reading for all the right reasons. I love how you've structured it and 'married' the ideas it explores. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/11/2024 6:19:00 PM Dear Gary, Your words warm my heart, and your acknowledgment means the world to me. Crafting this piece was an intimate journey, and I appreciate your recognition of its depth and structure. Thank you for taking the time to appreciate the nuances. Blessings, my friend Daniel

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/8/2024 12:49:00 PM Great pondering thoughts written in such a classy style, Daniel. I have recently been watching on Hulu the series called "I Survived: Beyond and Back" It's all about people who die and see how heaven or eternity appears when we go back to our "home" and they do not want to even leave it and go back to their dying bodies. Watching this show and learning of people's experiences makes me not afraid to die. In fact, I should probably welcome it! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/9/2024 4:13:00 AM Dear Andrea, your thoughtful words touched me deeply. Your courage in confronting the mysteries of existence is inspiring. Your openness to exploring the afterlife through reflects a pearl of profound wisdom and acceptance. I will have to watch the series that you recommended. Thank you for sharing your journey and insights, my friend. With gratitude, Daniel

Valsa George Date: 5/7/2024 9:41:00 PM We often look into the night sky and see the pinpricks of stars and wonder what lies beyond. The knowledge that even the earth we inhabit is just a speck in the vast cosmos makes us humble and realize how insignificant we are and yet how invaluable and how vital each one of us. Thus contradictions exist every where. About eternity too, you have brought two contradictory concepts. We cannot say which is correct as the concept of eternity itself is beyond the power of human calculation. You have combined the two definitions and brought forth your own sagacious thoughts for everyone's perusal. Indeed this poem is a gem and will ever be treasured. I believe in the enduring power of love and I have ever loved Van Dykes quote on love and eternity. Your poems give a lot of room for reflection, dear Daniel. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/9/2024 4:11:00 AM Dear Valsa, your profound insights into my poem about eternity touched me deeply. Your ability to embrace contradictory concepts and see the wisdom is truly remarkable. Your words inspire reflection and appreciation for the mysteries of existence. Thank you for your invaluable friendship. Blessings, my friend, Daniel

Sotto Poet Date: 5/7/2024 2:38:00 PM Greetings and regards, Daniel, Wow, Time, eternity, and the transience of existence are the central themes of this magnificent poem. Time, the cosmos, and love's enduring power are all themes that are explored. Fantastical explorations of space, time, and love's enduring nature are all on display in your poetry. It reflects on how fleeting life is, how lovely the here and now is, and how everything is interrelated in the universe. Your use of colorful imagery to depict time, love, and the stars enriched the poem with rich and compelling language. Expressing astonishment and wonder with metaphors like "neurons scattered in the night" and "stars aflame" is absolutely captivating. The language is lyrical and reflective, posing questions about the deeper meanings embedded in the lyrics. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 4:44:00 PM Hello Sotto, your eloquent analysis of my poem and your keen observation of the intertwining themes of time, eternity, and love reflects a profound understanding of the essence of my work. Your appreciation of the imagery and metaphors enriches my heart as a poet. Thank you for taking the time to dive into the layers of meaning within my words—it means a lot. Blessings, Daniel.

I Am Anaya Date: 5/7/2024 1:22:00 PM Both concepts feel right, all three of you Daniel meditations you being the third giant.Though some do not believe in love, it's the organ after all that holds onto the pain of love when it comes and it will come "Yet in the stillness, where the river meets the sea, A fragment flimmering, of what will ever be" its moments inbetween love's enchantment that makes us or it can break us apart. So much to unveil within the 7 acts. I'm faving this treasure, this gem, to read over again. Hugs~Anaya Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 4:42:00 PM Dear Anaya, your interpretation adds another layer of depth to my meditations on love. Your acknowledgment of the heart as both vessel and witness to love's pain and beauty is wise. Your appreciation of the nuances within the acts of love speaks volumes. Thank you for cherishing this piece—it means the world. Hugs back to you. - Blessings, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/7/2024 12:14:00 PM Love the alliterative write! The final quote seems to shore things up. …but for those who love, time is eternity…and perhaps that is the point. Connect the dots of moments, those momentous griefs and sorrows, joys and even expectations. Could love be the whole point? Is the meaning spelled out “Love.” Do we really love when we hold on, hold out, when we are fearful, impatient. What is ours, we forget to see. Hugs ~ Kim (my ramble) Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 4:40:00 PM Dear Kim, your wonderful ramble connected deeply with me. Your reflections on love's essence, its endurance through time's fleeting moments, are insightful. Your words ask us to cherish the simple yet profound beauty of love in all its forms. Thank you for sharing your insights and warmth. Hugs back. - Blessings, Daniel

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 5/7/2024 10:10:00 AM I believe your poetry is timeless Daniel, and worthy of being immortalized. May it ripple through time and keep sifting through long after we are all gone, to the stars my friend, to the stars ! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 11:39:00 AM Dearest Rose, your words are a cherished gift, illuminating the timeless essence of poetry. Your belief in the enduring power of my words fills me with gratitude. May our shared love for poetry carry its resonance to the farthest reaches of time, echoing among the stars long after we've departed. Thank you for your unwavering support and friendship. Here's to the stars, and to the timeless beauty of poetry. - Blessings, my friend, Daniel

Joe Dimino Date: 5/7/2024 9:14:00 AM "A shore unseen, where spectral palm trees sigh, And crystal waves reflect an endless sky. IV "Time," whispers the wind," -- Lovely poetry my friend! Brilliantly said. "Within the swirling atoms, stars aflame, Release the form, the clock, the finite line, Each breath bemused of the deathless name, In love's lingering, where stardust rivers shine," Love it! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 11:38:00 AM Hello Joe, your words touch me deeply. Your appreciation for my poem on eternity means the world to me. Thank you for seeing the imagery's beauty and connecting with the sentiment behind the verses. Your support encourages me. Blessings, Daniel

Ink Empress Date: 5/7/2024 2:54:00 AM What a wise and deeply meaningful poem this is dear daniel! I often stargaze, and wonder, what floats between and beyond and so much more. In other words nature and creations of the almighty reminds me of how theres so much more that i do not know and are oblivious to while appreciating the beauty that surrounds. Love the quotes youv used and how you’ve formatted the poem as well as descriptive and philosophical nature of your poetic diction truly stands out! You are a versatile yet a poet that remain constant with how and what you deliver such strong and soulful writes! A fave again for me! Sending you light always Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 7:05:00 AM Dearest Empress, your words mean the world to me. Your appreciation for the depth and wisdom inked into my poem warms my heart. Yes, stargazing indeed opens doors to infinite contemplation of the vast mysteries beyond our comprehension. I loved your recognition of the interplay between nature's beauty and the unknowable which shows your deep wisdom. I'm very grateful for your unwavering encouragement. Let's continue to bask in the light of creativity and shared inspiration. Sending you boundless light and gratitude always. - Blessings, my dear friend, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar Date: 5/6/2024 12:01:00 PM We are born and eventually, our bodies die. That's when our soul enters eternity. Too difficult to explain eternity in human terms. Only God knows what eternity means. St. Augustine of Hippo comes near but I feel eternity is more. For when we arrive at the end of this world, God will always be. What is there beyond? Only God knows. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 6:57:00 AM Hello Victor, your contemplations on eternity shows great insights. Indeed, the transition from life to the beyond defies human comprehension. St. Augustine's wisdom offers a glimpse, yet the vastness of eternity remains elusive. Your reflection of our finite existence and the infinite presence of God shine. Let's ponder the mysteries that lie beyond, guided by faith in God and wonder. - Blessings, Daniel

Jay Narain Date: 5/6/2024 11:23:00 AM Nice poem on eternity, blending neurons, love and time. Deep and meaningful. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 6:39:00 AM Hello Jay, your insightful feedback means a lot to me. Thank you for recognizing the essence of my poem on eternity. Your appreciation for the interplay of neurons, love, and time validates my creative journey. Let's continue to explore the depths of existence through our words. - Blessings, Daniel

Paula Goldsmith Date: 5/6/2024 11:17:00 AM WOW!!! Love This... An amazing write. Would love to see you write about the end of time/earth. Is It coming??? Have a fun day/week writing away................... Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2024 6:07:00 AM Dear Paula, your enthusiasm lights up my world! Your words fuel my creative fire. Thank you for embracing my poem with such warmth. Your prompt about the end of time/earth intrigues me deeply. Here's to endless inspiration and joyful writing! - Blessings, Daniel

David Kavanagh Date: 5/6/2024 9:49:00 AM Brilliant Daniel, an extremely difficult concept to understand let alone tackle in a poem, my own interpretation of eternity is everything and anything that has been or ever will be, time included, but can be only given meaning by consciousness, a bit like the double slit experiment, still you give us plenty to ponder bringing neurons, atoms, and love into play, all very much realities of eternity, check out my Monoku (overcome) if you get a chance, https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/overcome_1455429 cheers David Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 10:22:00 AM Hello David, I appreciated your insightful interpretation of eternity. It's indeed a concept that challenges our understanding. I am sure that your Monoku is beautiful, and I'll be sure to check it out. Thank you for your thoughtful words. - Blessings, Daniel

Anisha Dutta Date: 5/6/2024 9:00:00 AM EXCELLENT. I am charmed. Have Good Days Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 10:19:00 AM Dear Anisha, Thank you so much, my friend, and you have a blessed day. - Daniel

Lin Lane Date: 5/6/2024 8:21:00 AM Daniel, addressing you as 'Bard' would not be a stretch. Eternity in Seven Acts...you've written this one as Willie Shake would've! Apologies to Shakespeare, but it's long been my nickname for him. You've even forced the wind to bow to Time's existence. "In love's lingering, where stardust rivers shine, Eternity emanates, an endless love that is divine. "... poetic imagery to the nth. Deserving of so much more honor than poem of the day or week. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 10:18:00 AM Dearest Lin, your words have touched my heart. To be compared to the great ‘Willie Shake’ is an honor beyond words. Your appreciation of the imagery and the essence of eternity captured in the poem is deeply gratifying. Thank you for your kind words and for recognizing the depth of the poem. Your feedback is a poem in itself. Blessings, my friend, Daniel.

Richard Lamoureux Date: 5/6/2024 7:14:00 AM You masterfully wove this all together. I sometimes imagine that the billions of stars are the synaptic array of God’s mind. It is to large for us to fully comprehend it’s wonder. A pleasure to read your artistry. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 9:29:00 AM Dear Richard, your words have left me humbled and inspired. The metaphor of the stars as God’s synaptic array is truly profound. It’s a pleasure to know that my humble attempt at artistry meant something. Your reflections add a new dimension to my work. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings, Daniel.

Silent One Date: 5/6/2024 6:50:00 AM Dear Daniel, you see to have a 'therapist' mind.. This poem is a profound meditation on the nature of time, existence, and eternity, inviting the reader on a journey through the cosmic expanse of the universe and the depths of the human soul. Each stanza unfolds like a layer of consciousness, revealing new insights and contemplations on the ephemeral nature of life and the timeless essence of love. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 9:27:00 AM Dear Silent One, your words are a balm to my creative spirit. I’m humbled by your deep understanding of my poem. It’s heartening to know that the layers of consciousness I tried to unfold touched you. Your insights inspire me to continue my exploration of eternity through poetry. Thank you for your thoughtful reflections. Blessings, Daniel.

Vijay Pandit Date: 5/6/2024 6:20:00 AM Intriguing exploration of the universe, Daniel--a journey through space and time--and a lesson for how to appreciate being in the now. A poem that educates and ponders deep into love and life. Splendid write! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 6:37:00 AM Hello Vijay, your kind words truly warm my heart. I'm delighted that you found my poem intriguing and thought-provoking. Exploring the universe, both externally and internally, is indeed a journey of wonder and discovery. It's profound to cherish each moment and find beauty in the present. I'm grateful that my poem filled you and offered insights into love, life, and the mysteries of existence. Thank you for your encouraging feedback—it means a lot to me. - Blessings, Daniel

Tom Woody Date: 5/6/2024 5:33:00 AM You really are quite talented and such a deep thinker. No one fully understands time and space and eternity, except of course for the Grand Creator of it all. My fave stanza is #4. I mused in a similar vein about eternity in my poem Ludicrous Lucidity. The Bible states God had no beginning, has no end. Hard to wrap one's head around that one. And yet... Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/6/2024 6:36:00 AM Hello Tom, your thoughtful words mean a lot to me. Indeed, contemplating the vastness of eternity and the mysteries of time and space can lead us to profound reflections. I'm glad stanza #4 touched you, and it's fascinating to hear about your exploration of similar themes in your poem, Ludicrous Lucidity. The concept of God's eternal nature is mind-boggling, yet it invites us to ponder the limitless nature of existence. Thank you for sharing your insights and for appreciating my work. Let's continue to explore these deep mysteries together through poetry. - Blessings, my friend, Daniel