Remember Tomorrow

Science fiction poetry show

I remember tomorrow like it was yesterday ~

a boy’s discovery of curiosity 

opened books ~ and his mind.

A child’s vision of the future to come 

did not include the past.

Heinlein created stranger expectations 

in a strange land of imagination;

Asimov built a foundation of fascination 

strong as hard science made fiction.

And no, there are no churches offering money

in a chalice for the taking at the door,

and robots have yet to need

to heed the three laws

but a bright-eyed boy, now a wide-eyed man ~

who’s tried hard to grok life ... and love

knows they will.

.

I see through a past that obscures our future

knowing a man’s life is but a tick of the clock

yet, billions of ticks can measure light-years ~

light seen from planets around distant stars

stars where all may trek, and likely fight wars

in galaxies far, far away 

a boy would wander through wonder forever 

searching for Spock in the skies.

.

I am a man who now understands how time travels ~

dreams through a looking glass screen

of a future just always out of reach

of the memories had by a boy tomorrow 

who’ll know millennia of millennium, still falls short of eternity.

2022

Author's Note

Grok is a Martian term that means to have a full and complete understanding, from Robert Heinlein’s ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’. I’m hoping someone might catch which movie I’m referencing in the description. The exact opposite of the serious fiction in the poem.

Thanks Carlos, talking about Asimov the other day got me to thinking, and writing.

Reviews

[Aura]

Your first line " I remember tomorrow like it was yesterday" really caught my attention... How can we remember tomorrow if it hasn't occurred yet? Truly is a science-fiction concept. This piece is like a reflection of our past which constantly plays a part in shaping our futures. Its a strange thought, every second that passes by is the past, yet at the same time, every second that comes is the future, then what is the present? Thank you for sharing this piece, really got me thinking!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thinking is what we poets do best. Then we write. Glad this got your noggin noddin'! I like oxymorons in poetry. I've always wanted to get that thought about a future always just out of reach into a poem. Need to use it more. The future is ours, we just have to share it with the past. Thanks Aura.

I looked the other day and didn't see anything new. You writing??

[Aura]

You are most welcome! The future is definitely ours but I feel like we try not to let our futures intermingle with our past, let the past be buried. But without acknowledging the past, our future is left uncertain and we can commit the same mistakes as we did before.

I think I have writers block for the time being. I can't find any inspiration and life's circumstances have me busy at the moment. I haven't written anything new. Writers block can feel so permanent.

[William Michael Reeves]

I beg to differ! Your comment is rather poetic. Intermingling futures and pasts create uncertain acknowledgements. Circumstances!! Tell me about it. Just glad I've been able to get back to the sharing aspects of poetry recently. My plan is to start posting this pile I've written these last few months tomorrow. And be sure to check out the reviews we've gotten for our Sonnet. Maybe you can find some inspiration there.

[Robert Trakofler]

I googled grok before I read your note LOL I was like, what... is it a typo, should I send him a note:? Long before I had a heart attack and subsequent brain damage from lack of oxygen I have always had recall issues... my mind is a jumble of science fiction books my older brother had a wall full of paperbacks and a guy I used to do work for as a kid gave me a treasure trove of science fiction magazines. (the old ones that were paperback-sized with old Heinlein and Asimov short stories in them) so it is safe to say I was one of those wide eyed boys too:)

[William Michael Reeves]

The jumbled mind is also a busy mind. Just what a poet needs. Maybe that's why this title caught your eye. The damaged jumbled brain can't keep yesterday and tomorrow straight. I love the old paperbacks too. I'm a collector. Comics and pulps. Books of all kinds. I think what inspired my poem was my surprise that this future we live in is still surrounded by the past. Glad I was able to pull up a fond memory for you. Thanks Robert

Bill

[Neville]

although I'm not really a science fiction kinda guy, I know a good un (poem or story) that is, when I read em and this is one of them that sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb ........... so that's precisely wot you get from me sir, a very defo thumbs up ................ Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I travelled with you here Bill. I'm not familiar with your authors but this poem gave me the feeling of just how small a speck we are in the bigger picture. I have no wish to travel in the future. The present at times can be more than difficult. Like Jacob said, maybe an occasional visit to the past to meet up with loved ones now gone, could be most satisfying. I did very much enjoy Star Trek as a youngster. Such fabulous entertainment and strong characters. Enjoyed my visit to your page. All the best.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

I'll always have a seat reserved for you in my spageship Chris. But not being familiar with Isaac Asimov?? I might have to put you in the brig.

Hopefully you won't make war on me when you read Colo(u)rs of Independence. I'm glad we're on the same side now.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's a good show...
I rarely like science fiction, but "Stranger" was a really good book....yes, Grok.
I like the idea of remembering tomorrow like it was yesterday...
time travel would be cool....not sure if I would want to go back or forward.
the future scares me...so I think going back would be great, but only for a few days...maybe right some wrongs...maybe respond to a couple situations differently.
maybe I could Grok a few people I didn't back then.
this poem got me looking within and wondering.
I like it.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

Back would be good. Tend to a few shoulda’s and coulda’s. I always liked the idea of a room in the house with real grass growing. Glad to help you look within ... through your looking glass screen. Thanks