Timely Ideals

the future is all electric cars
and colonizing mars.
the past is all idealized lies
and imperialist guys.
the present is nothing...
it just ended (just now).
and i made it all up (just now).
because my future is always
              and forever
              just an idea
     hoping to be realized
              as a present
               (not a lie)
           much like a gift
             (that i made)

             for the world

             

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

The past is certainly full of mistakes. The future of electric cars and colonising Mars sounds exciting. I wonder whether that too in time will be considered a mistake. I like this poem and the meandering thoughts it brought me. I firmly believe we should concentrate more on the present, but that's not a place most people feel comfortable with.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Wow, this is an old one. Where on earth did you find it?

Thanks for the review none the less. The meandering ones are always my favorite ones to write.

[syzygy]

This is lovely. And, may I add: the first four lines have a sort of droll power all on their own. The history of the world in four lines. Dig it.

[Davidgeo]

I appreciate your review, thanks. I can't be sure because it's been so long but I think I was only going to have this poem be those first four lines. The rest is just, kind of, filler.

[Prototato]

This is a deep poem. I also enjoy the cubelike structural image you gave the shape of the lines, as well.

[Barbara Walker]

Do we all do this every day? interesting concept. Now that you brought it up it's something for me to ponder...

[Davidgeo]

Do you remember an old comic back when people read the the Sunday papers called "Family Circus" written by Bil Keane?

[Barbara Walker]

Yes, I remember

[Davidgeo]

"Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."

bil keane was his name...

[Barbara Walker]

Oh to have the depth of knowledge to catch that! But then I would need a memory that works; alas mine has truly departed for parts unknown to me

[aLittlePain]

Simple truth, when I look at my son and his circumstances I realise the magnitude of your words. Graceful pen D. R xo

[Davidgeo]

Thanks pretty lady. That kid has spectacular hair.

[aLittlePain]

Almost as nice as yours :)

[Davidgeo]

Flattery will get you everywhere.

[Ana B.]

holy s**t, this is brilliant! I was just thinking about the silent downfall of us humans, called progress, and i stumble on this. Must be an universal tickle or something.

[Davidgeo]

A guy who once looked like Mike Ditka once quoted Bil Keane to me "Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, and today is a gift... that's why they call it the present." (Bil Keane is the guy who did all the "family circus" cartoons back in the newspaper days).

[Davidgeo]

Anyway, that's the simple inspiration behind this.

[Ana B.]

I can understand that. About 95% of the poems i wrote were inspired by a word, or a quote, or a title of a song etc. I find it intriguing that a set of a few letters can start a new piece, and the different path a meaning can take.