The present is the sand grains on the beach
and the past the sand in the receding waves.
Each sand grain awaits its turn
to be picked up by a new wave.
The present is the sprightly cascade
gushing down the mountain top
to merge with the flowing river
and the past is where the river meets the sea.
The present is the softly glowing candle
and the past is the molten wax around it.

The present is the moving hands of the clock
and the past is already gone, you see.
If the hands of the clock stop moving,
the present can yet never stay still.
For every present will soon have a past
And nothing in this world was made to last.
So let’s accept the present – the now
and cheerfully say to the past – “Ciao”.
Let’s live in the present
for it shall very soon pass.

Gita Ashok
24/10/2011, 1 pm