Sorry, those sparks are slipping.

music, poetry, quotes, time,

I love the present with its layers
of seconds faceted like sparks
hammered off the glinting surface.
I want to stay here endlessly,
standing at the convergence of sand and water….
I dread the future, yet it arrives
little by little. Knowingly we disappear into it.

–Alan Soldofsky, from a longer poem, “Current.”

sandpipers sparkle sea sand

I like to think about time, even though it can be a little crazy-making, and this poem brought to mind the song by the Steve Miller Band (below), which I appreciate mostly for that one line that repeats and repeats like a clock ticking. Both the poet and the songwriter are using the present moments to anticipate the present becoming the past, which may not be a waste of time, because it is God Who made us to be philosophers after all….

Before my late husband became ill, he liked to take me every so often to a place where he could sing karaoke. There was a friendly man there always, whose name I think was Mike, and he often sang this song, which I never got tired of. If you don’t know it, you can click on the link to listen:  Steve Miller Band

Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I’m free
Fly through the revolution

Just a little meandering meditation that is probably not edifying! And how much time slipped by while I was using it and musing over it…?

Well, let’s consider words about time that are certainly more grounding:

 … Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5)

 

Gretchen sand sm

Lord, have mercy on us,
and keep us against the day when You wrap us and all of time into Your eternal Kingdom.

14 thoughts on “Sorry, those sparks are slipping.”

  1. Love that Bible verse. I think I’ll write it on the white board and leave it a couple days with hopes it will keep me focused and motivated to use my time wisely.

    I haven’t listened to the Steve Miller Band in a long time, but I know that song. I clicked the link, not remembering, but then it came back quickly.

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  4. I like the whole thing, but the photos– they really stand out.

    Strange how fascinating it is to try to stop the present and examine it. St. Augustine said (in the philosophical part of his “Confessions,”) that there is no such thing as the passing of time. If it’s not the present moment, then it’s either a memory or a projected image–and in both of those instances it’s still the present. . . .( What?) Or something like that.

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  5. It’s funny how some of those “old songs” that were so much a part of our everyday (younger) lives have new meaning now. I didn’t really think about the lyrics that much back then. It was all about the beat and the cool music, but now when I hear them, I realize how much meaning the lyrics had.

    Have you seen the new Walmart commercial with the song, “Get Together” (by the Youngbloods)? I am hopeful these old songs might give us a sense of love and unity when we see all the trouble in the world today.

    https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wf5V/walmart-many-chairs-one-table-song-by-the-youngbloods

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  6. I thought I knew which song that was but I had to go to the link and listen. Its funny I don’t think I ever heard the tick tock until you wrote about it. I always tell Ron, I wish I knew God’s word the way I know that old rock and roll. I love your prayer and your words and your pictures are wonderful.

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  9. Yes, I do remember that song! And you are correct, it is a tune that grabs. But your memories with your husband and this song are sweet and have their “grabbings” too.
    Just like you, I love eternity thoughts also. Blessings!

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