Poetry Performed Episode 039 - Long Live the Present by Joshua Penner

Poetry Performed Episode 039 - Long Live the Present by Joshua Penner

This week, we feature what I believe to be our youngest poet to date, 18-year old Joshua Penner, and his “Long Live the Present”.

Before we get to this weeks poem, I want to remind you that we love featuring the work of living poets on the show. If you’re interested in allowing us to share your poem with our listening audience, head to our website poemsandshorts.blogspot.com for more information about how to send your poem our way. And now, on with the show.

Long Live the Present by Joshua Penner
With a heart of heaviness,
I wistfully reminisce.
What an anguished reverie,
to dwell on dead memory.

We strive to revive our past,
but such frivolous dreams do not last.
Our world changes with or without us,
therefore why make such a fuss?

Don’t let the past weigh you down,
because the future it will cause to drown. 

Wielding the tools of the present,
will make your life much more pleasant.

The old days are long ago dead,
they have taken flight and fled.
But long live the present day,
it's here we find the right way.

That was “Long Live the Present” by Joshua Penner. In his original email to me, Joshua described himself as an “aspiring” poet. I want to say to Joshua and all other young creatives out there, if you’ve done the thing, then you’re no longer aspiring. If you write poetry, then you’re a poet. Write a novel, then you’re a novelist. There is no set level of success where you get to drop the aspiring and can call yourself that thing. You decide, and the act of creating the work is enough for me. So, congratulations Joshua, you’re a poet.