1. Carpe Diem Poetry: Seize the Day!

2. Carpe Diem  Literally means, “pluck the day” as in “plucking” or pulling flowers  Get it? Gather moments in life like you would gather flowers?  But remember, these moments don’t last long; flowers cut off from the roots die soon…

3. Origins  Attributed to the ancient Roman poet Horace, 65 B.C.E.  Composed a book of poems entitled “Odes” Scale back your long hopes to a short period. While we speak, time is envious and is running away from us. Seize the day, trusting little in the future.

4. Other Versions of This Same Theme  “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we will die.” --biblical reference (Isaiah)  "collige, virgo, rosas" appears in a Virgil (another classical Roman poet) poem, meaning "gather, girl, the roses."

5. Carpe Diem Defined…  Remember what Robin Williams (Mr. Keating) said about the original purpose of language? What did he say?

6. Carpe Diem Defined…  Right! To woo women…  Woo means to convince or persuade; in the Renaissance, the purpose of a carpe diem poem was to persuade a young woman to make love…

7. Carpe Diem (poetic sense)  A poem intended to persuade a young woman to become a lover by convincing her that time (and most usually her beauty) is fleeting (quickly disappearing).

8. Another Approach…  “Other approaches to carpe diem encourage the reader to transcend the mundane, recognize the power of each moment, however brief, and value possibility for as long as possibility exists.”—Academy of American Poets

9. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying : And this same flower that smiles today To-morrow will be dying.

10. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, The higher he's a-getting, The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting.

11. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer ; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times still succeed the former.

12. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may go marry : For having lost but once your prime You may for ever tarry.