Home » Poems » Gary Bateman » The Present

Notes About The Poem

Author's Notes: "The Present," is a Heroic Couplet I wrote and set in Iambic Pentameter. I wrote this poem as a follow-on to the heroic couplet I finished and posted yesterday on "The Past." This write looks at the eternal time continuum from a present perspective, and focuses on the very fleeting nature of the "now" moments which are reflective of actions occurring in the present progressive mode. The final heroic couplet in this trilogy, "The Future," I have planned to write over the next day or so. Its emphasis will be on the nature of planned or spontaneous events as they unfold for people in the future on the time continuum beyond what has occurred in the past and the present. (Gary Bateman - December 26, 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 Present

The Present

A fleeting moment in eternal time,
And ever progressive in real-time.

One’s “now” moment, then in history past,
Now in motion moving to future fast.

My words become history when I write,
No need to worry now—I’ll make them right.

As the present is present progressive,
The past then follows now so possessive.

The night stars are past in a mere eye blink,
Their images not part of “present” sync.

A constant portent of events to come,
As we each live “now” in what we’ll become.

Give me your hand for this moment is it;
Let’s seize now this moment and live in it.  

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
(December 26, 2014) (Heroic Couplet)

allegorychangeimageryjourneymetaphorheroic couplet

♡Like0

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Choene Alley Semenya

February 11, 2015 at 5:15 AM

Nice piece of work Gary. I love it!

Gary Bateman

February 11, 2015 at 5:46 AM

Thanks Choene!! I plan to do more of these. With seven couplet stanzas in iambic pentameter, one has 14 verses which mirror somewhat the Shakespearean Sonnet even though the are different approaches. I always like to analysis stuff like this figure out which approach I want to follow. I'm thrilled you like this particular write. Best Wishes, Gary

M. L. Kiser

December 27, 2014 at 2:16 PM

A lovely pen about the present. So true.

Gary Bateman

December 27, 2014 at 3:23 PM

Thanks ML, glad you liked this piece on the "present." Cheers, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

December 27, 2014 at 1:56 PM

truly golden piece of writing gary excellent pen pal wishing you a great night

Gary Bateman

December 27, 2014 at 3:22 PM

Liam Mate!! Glad you liked this one. Best, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter

December 27, 2014 at 6:52 AM

Hello Gary! What a gem of an excellent piece you've penned here. Wow!Reading it I have to agree with you since every moment, every split of a second of our lives is so fleeting indeed. This is a very deep subject to tackle and you've done so well. Time just flies away! I really enjoyed your "The Present" poem its so well crafted by you my dearest friend Gary. A gigantic 7 from me! Your pen is gold! And thank you so much for visiting me today and commenting so beautifully in many of my poems. Much appreciated from the bottom of my very heart. I wish you and Ingrid a very Happy New Year 2015! May be the best for you to come! Have a wonderful day! :) Love and hugs! xoxxxox D.

Gary Bateman

December 27, 2014 at 9:01 AM

Hello D!! Thanks for your wonderful comment!! I say: "Tempus fugit, sed amor reliquias." -OR- in English: "Time flies, but love remains." This could be the moral from all three of these writes I just finished: The Past, The Present, and The Future. (I just posted "The Future" over an hour ago. You should read it too!!) Best Always XOXOXO, Gary

Demetrios Trifiatis

December 27, 2014 at 4:40 AM

My own definition of present, mein freund Gary, is this: Present is the instance the future changes into past! I see you become more and more philosophical! You have really captured the "reality" of time my friend and for this a seven is well deserved! Excellent, deep and powerful writing!

Gary Bateman

December 27, 2014 at 5:37 AM

Hello Demetrios!! Thanks so much for your most thoughtful comments here. I do like your definition of the "Present" too!! You may want to also read "The Past" (I posted on 25 Dec), in addition to "The Future" (which I will post very soon today, 27 Dec). All three heroic couplets portray "my poet's view" of past, present and future in the human time continuum. All Philosophical!! Happy Holidays, Gary