Time Spawned by Eternity
Time so temporal.
Eternity a measure.
As a unity.
Time so illusive.
Let us now consider time.
Time so relative.
Time as a measure.
Measuring the becoming.
Of the fleeting things.
Things that we number.
Things that we can only count.
Things that do not last.
Things that come and go.
Coming and passing away.
Nothing permanent.
Things as images.
As icons of our vision.
Itself not lasting.
All are images.
The Cosmos, too, is image.
On which all time “moves.”
Proclus told us that.
Declaring eternity.
As wholesome measure.
Of a Unity.
Of the Intelligible.
What we call Divine.
Just like the TAO.
Time manifests multiples.
Regards the many.
That which we can count.
With beginning and ending.
Again, a measure.
Time…Eternity…
Again an opposition.
That constitutes ONE!
Time measures numbers.
While things that are permanent.
Eternity knows.
Both then are measures.
Both measuring something else.
There — dwells unity!
Time is given life.
Borne out of eternity.
Itself is all unity.
Again, like the TAO.
What is not manifested.
There unity dwells.
Where unity dwells.
Opposes the manifest.
Time’s physical home.
Time’s physical home.
Is also where man resides.
Things that come and go.
Where unity dwells.
That is not manifested.
Potential haven.
In psychology.
Jung’s “Individuation.”
Place of completion.
Where time “marches on.”
We all strive for completion.
But it is not here.
Where can we find it?
It is in eternity.
Not manifested.
Search for it therefore.
Where you can find unity.
There — you shall find rest.
To summarize all.
This then is our conclusion.
Embrace opposites.
And do not despair.
In opposites we find Truth.
Singularity!
Embrace then the ONE.
Even when you see many.
Pursue unity.
Unity is friend.
A friend of eternity.
And of completion.
About this poem
I was inspired to write this poem after an online reader of my poems made some remarks, indirectly referring to and citing the Ancient Greek philosopher Proclus (412-485 C. E.), that “Time is the moving image of the unmoving eternity.” While this is an interesting philosophical response, it does not satisfy as providing any meaningful insight concerning the nature of time. Nevertheless, it’s a start. However vague such a response is, it does invite us to examine carefully the meaning of the word “time. ” What I have been doing recently, is to critically regard the meaning of words as synonyms, in the context of their reception as antonyms. This process allows me to regard the semantic elasticity or range of a word, particularly within the context of any word that seemingly opposes it. This linguistic exercise also provides valuable insight into how the antonyms and synonyms of a language constitute an organic unit that is received as what I shall now describe as “psychological opposites of semantic dependency.” In this particular case, we are examining the semantic valence of “time” in the context of the semantic valence of “eternity” that seemingly opposes it, but which, when examined collectively, does broaden and, what is even better, provides clarity concerning the semantic values of both words, each “needing” the other to complete their meaning. That is what I have tried to achieve in composing this 27-stanza extended haiku poem. more »
Written on February 08, 2022
Submitted by karlcfolkes on February 08, 2022
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:59 min read
- 430 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | abc dxd bex bfx Gxh ije ixx xcb cax kxc feb cjj lhx lxc xcc kmn NoP PxG Nmj cjj xjx xcm xco xjx xxc jcc xcj |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic trimeter |
Characters | 1,814 |
Words | 398 |
Stanzas | 27 |
Stanza Lengths | 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 |
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"Time Spawned by Eternity" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/119966/time-spawned-by-eternity>.
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