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Carpe Diem

Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero. (“Seize the day,
trust as little as possible in tomorrow.”) Horace, Odes I:11

We live our lives, we make our plans, and then
Both time and circumstances intervene
To bring us back to making plans, again.
Tomorrow can be only guessed, not seen.

This rule of thumb is true for you and me,
And Wall Street, weathermen, and heads of state.
And “Que sera” and “What will be, will be”
Are good excuses to procrastinate.

But “Inshallah” and “If God wills” should not
Be claimed as reasons to sit back and wait.
For all our hopes and dreams will come to naught
If we allow them to succumb to fate.

So, “Carpe diem!” “Seize the day!” And trust
As little in tomorrow as you must.

.

.

James A. Tweedie is a retired pastor living in Long Beach, Washington. He has written and published six novels, one collection of short stories, and three collections of poetry including Mostly Sonnets, all with Dunecrest Press. His poems have been published nationally and internationally in The Lyric, Poetry Salzburg (Austria) Review, California Quarterly, Asses of Parnassus, Lighten Up Online, Better than Starbucks, Dwell Time, Light, Deronda Review, The Road Not Taken, Fevers of the Mind, Sparks of Calliope, Dancing Poetry, WestWard Quarterly, and The Chained Muse. He was honored with being chosen as the winner of the 2021 SCP International Poetry Competition.

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15 Responses

  1. Warren Bonham

    This is a great message in a very well-crafted package. Predestination, taken to the extreme, means that we should never do anything since everything was pre-planned at the creation of the universe. Moses and Abraham were seemingly both able to influence God’s actions. We should follow their examples and do as you say and seize the day.

    Reply
  2. Paul A. Freeman

    I’m often on the receiving end of ‘Inshallah’, and know how frustrating it is . My reply is often ‘Don’t blame God!’

    Great message, great ending couplet. Otherwise, Warren has said it all.

    Thanks for the read, James.

    Reply
  3. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Seizing the day and do not procrastinate are well said as the messages of your poem. The time for action is now as you so ably told us.

    Reply
  4. Phil S. Rogers

    Certainly good advice in today’s world. No one has any idea what may happen tomorrow.

    Reply
  6. Margaret Coats

    This is such a classic theme it’s difficult even to say it in a new way. You manage it, James, with multiple techniques. A little restatement, some piling on of similar proverbial sayings, and a clever final line that partially contradicts everything else. We must, in fact, trust some things to tomorrow–but make them few. A wise wrap-up!

    Reply
    • James A. Tweedie

      And Burns’ To a Mouse puts it,
      “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
      Gang aft agley,”

      Reply
  8. Gigi Ryan

    I love how you have included several famous quotes in your poem. I have never been able to find a way to do so with finesse as you have here.
    Thank you for this good poem and reminder!
    Gigi

    Reply
    • James A. Tweedie

      “Finesse” is a highly complimentary word, Gigi. I treasure it. Thanks.

      Reply
  10. Jeff Eardley

    As our long gone old Duke of Edinburgh used to say, “Just get on with it.” Your poem holds a lovely message that time is short and seems to race by at ever increasing velocity. A great, uplifting read Jim. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. C.B. Anderson

    Let’s not forget the surrounding elements: Tempus fugit et memento mori.

    Reply
    • James A. Tweedie

      Indeed, let’s not! But, on the other hand, if we do, they won’t.

      Reply

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