Present Ramblings

Hello. My name is Present. You pretend to know me, to live in me, but all you think about are my brothers. I know you know their names. Past is the oldest, Future is the youngest, and I, Present, am the middle child. The one everybody ignores. You say you want to pay attention to me but all you ever do is dwell on Past or worry about Future. But I’m the only one here! I’m the only friend you have! Past left and can’t help you; and Future is too young to help you. But I’m here. I’m the only one actually here. Every moment you’re here, I’m with you. Maybe that’s why you ignore me. You’re tired of me. I’m too obvious. My brothers exist only in your mind, so you can shape them into whatever you want. Me, I’m uncompromising. I don’t exist in your mind, I’m outside of you, you can’t imagine me. You can only experience me. Maybe that makes me boring. Regardless, you can’t escape me. So might as well learn how to enjoy me.

PROSE

Hannah Urisman, '22