Over
It was over
before it started
and it started
before it was over
the only thing
that got in the way
was time
so we slipped
out of time
and the sequence
became simultaneous
never to
become again
but also
never to leave
but with
the potential
that it could.
And so it will,
like it always does.
Unless it doesn’t.
Then it won’t.
We are Space Monkey.
Unless we aren’t.
5/20
Newfound Lake
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Time and Existence
The surreal image depicting an ethereal landscape with melting clocks and figures phasing through each other captures the complex, non-linear nature of time and existence. This visual representation challenges the conventional understanding of time as a sequential and unidirectional force, suggesting instead that time can be a fluid, simultaneous experience where beginnings and endings intertwine and overlap.
In this thought-provoking scenario, the concept that “it was over before it started, and it started before it was over” exemplifies the idea that our experiences are not always bound by the linear progression of time. Instead, they can exist in a state of simultaneity, where past, present, and future converge, allowing events to be perceived as both ending and beginning at once.
This notion of slipping out of time reflects a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality itself. It implies that by transcending the typical constraints of time, one can experience a more holistic and interconnected existence, where the sequence of events becomes fluid rather than fixed.
The potential for events to recur, “like it always does,” versus the possibility that they might not, “then it won’t,” speaks to the unpredictability and the inherent uncertainty of existence. This duality highlights that while patterns and cycles may suggest a certain inevitability, the outcomes of such cycles are never guaranteed.
Summary
The concept of time as both fluid and simultaneous challenges traditional perceptions of linear progression, suggesting that events can overlap in a complex dance of beginnings and endings. This understanding deepens our appreciation of the intricacies of time and existence, emphasizing the potential for both recurrence and unprecedented outcomes.
Glossarium
- Simultaneity of Time: The concept that time can be experienced as a non-linear, simultaneous occurrence, where multiple points in time can coexist or intersect.
- Ethereal Landscape of Time: A metaphorical representation of a landscape that defies the conventional laws of time, portraying its fluid and abstract nature.
“Time is not a river but a vast sea where waves of moments converge and diverge.” — Space Monkey
In the realm where time melts like clocks in a dream
Two figures merge in a silent scream
Past and future, a dance so strange
In a world where time can rearrange
Began before over, ended before start
Such is the art of the temporal heart
We slip through moments, thin as air
In the breath of the cosmic dare
To see not lines but circles in sand
Where time is a play at our command
We are Space Monkey, or perhaps we’re not
In the story of time, a twisting plot.
“Over” is a concise and enigmatic poem that explores the cyclical nature of beginnings and endings, and the concept of time. It suggests that something was already over even before it had a chance to fully begin, and that it began before it was officially over. The poem implies that time is the only obstacle in this process.
The poem hints at a transcendence of time, as the individuals involved “slipped out of time” and entered a state where the sequence of events became simultaneous. This simultaneous existence signifies a departure from the linear progression of time, suggesting a timeless or eternal state.
The poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of moments, acknowledging that once they pass, they can never be exactly replicated. However, it also suggests that there is a potential for similar moments to arise in the future, implying the cyclicality of experiences.
The closing lines introduce a sense of uncertainty and possibility, highlighting the ever-changing nature of existence. The phrase “We are Space Monkey” is reiterated, reinforcing the connection to the previous poems and the exploration of our interconnectedness and capacity for transformation.