Time to write a poem ?

[Steppe]

I was thinking the other day again about "time" as it relates to poems, life, dreams, etc. I have often thought that the only difference between an old man's dreams, and a young boys memories, is the color of hair.

We often poke fun at the former, and praise the latter. Some folk say we should write about the present, stop living in the past. Its over and gone. Enjoy the day.

Is that possible? How much "time" is allotted to the "present"? Is it a day long? An hour perhaps? A second?

As I write this, the begining is already a part of my past, the finish, still in my future. When I press a key, part of that very quick stroke is almost simultaneously in the past, present and future.

How long is the present?

I have come to believe we live in all three time periods and the separation may not even exist.

So how can I write about the present, when it merges so closely with the past and future ?

If I write a poem about yesterday, that is my past. An hour ago, a minute ago, the same. The next poem I would write is in my future.

For those wanting someone like me to get out of the past and get into the present, I would first like them to explain how long the present is that I should "get into".

[P.H.Delarran]

while a poem written may be in your past, when being read, it's the present.
;)

[Steppe]

while a poem written may be in your past, when being read, it's the present.
;)

Only the very instant of perception is present. The begining of the poem is already past, the ending is future.

[C.bronco]

I write about both. I don't like getting into a rut; therefore I mix things up from time to time. I recommend that you don't lose any sleep over this issue.

[Steppe]

Thank you all, and yes KTC, it is playful, but some deep questions about time and poetry all the same.

St Augustine said about time, "If no one ask me I know, If I wish to explain to him who asks, I know not".

I suppose I was poking fun a little with those who say we should get with it, become current.What is current? How long is current Time? Would your length of current time be the same as mine?