"Forever" - By Terri Nicole Tharrington

       "Forever"

         By: Terri Nicole Tharrington

          Forever we remain oblivious to the future, 

lost to the past and enduring our torture. 
Forever we take chances to settle our scores, 
losing some battles and winning some wars. 
Forever praying out loud hoping someone will hear, 
forever crying softly but never shedding a tear. 
Forever exists behind a disguise, 
but the belief in forever keeps our hearts alive.

         Analysis:

         This poem's rhyme scheme is set in a way that each group of two lines rhyme with each other. Each group then relates to one another in terms of meaning as well. There are four groups, the first line of each starting the title of the poem: "forever". 

         "Forever we remain oblivious to the future, lost to the past and enduring our torture." This first group refers to our (humans) natural obsession with the past, whether it be personal decisions in our own lives, or major events in history remembered by all. While our minds are constantly occupied by the past, we remain completely oblivious to the future. No matter how much we plan, one can never be sure what will come next.

         "Forever we take chances to settle our scores, losing some battles and winning some wars."  This next group talks about human beings urges to right the supposed "wrongs" that others have caused in our lives. Getting even, settling scores, revenge: all of these expressions and terms derive from the same concept of human search for proper compensation. And in this search we often do not win in the short term, but these losses only drive the need stronger to win in the long run.

         "Forever praying out loud hoping someone will hear, forever crying softly but never shedding a tear." This third group speaks of humans ingrained need to be felt, to make an impression on those around them, and the world in general. That's why it seems so attractive to be famous, all the attention from those we do not even know ourselves. 

        "Forever exists behind a disguise, but the belief in forever keeps our hearts alive."  This final group basically summarizes the rest of the poem. The first part talks about how in every case, when we use the word "forever", we often are using it as a hyperbole, not as a real timeless thing. The real forever exists, but not in speech. The belief in this forever keeps us dreaming of what can be, and takes us out of what is, which can be extremely appealing.