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The Poem I Do, Did, Done

What is the future? The present? The past?
Just a quick question I thought I'd just ask
Can scientists help us? So is it mere physics?
Is time metaphysical? Mental Olympics?

Do we walk backwards? See only what's been?
Or look into the fog? Far future unseen
Is there free will? Are we our own author?
No, destiny damns us to English tense torture!

I write this poem - the tense present simple
But simple soon ends with a present participle
Continuous tenses use "ing" at the end
For perfect (all tenses) add "ed" to amend

"Was", "will" and "am" - past, future and present
Irregular verbs? Long list most unpleasant
Spring sprang and sprung, unique without clone
Write, wrote and written I know, knew and known

A bit of a burden if not your first language
Unless you can master whilst eating a sandwich
But if we banned grammar and wrote more carefree
Our script becomes blander - we lose poetry



(Entry for past, present, future competition originally - recycled for the zany contest)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 12/7/2016 8:48:00 AM
One of my favourites. Congrats.
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Martin Avatar
Mark Martin
Date: 12/7/2016 12:50:00 PM
Thanks Richard! :-)
Date: 11/21/2016 3:16:00 PM
I agree, absolutely brilliant! Fantastic write Mark:)
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Martin Avatar
Mark Martin
Date: 11/21/2016 3:24:00 PM
Thanks Daniel - glad you enjoyed! :-)
Date: 11/21/2016 2:58:00 PM
holy crap..this is artistry..my man ..brilliantly written...amen
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Martin Avatar
Mark Martin
Date: 11/21/2016 3:23:00 PM
Thanks Holly! :-)

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry