Why is the prophecy written the way it is?

[adamjmarcantel]

No: HPFGUIDX 137857

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born
to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies
... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have
power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of
the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one
with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh
month dies..."
(The above is taken from the Lexicon)

An interesting thought occured to me as I am sitting here looking for
clues about Snape and what is ultimate role will be.  Before going any
further, I will say I am one who believes Snape will be redeemed (I
also think Draco will be redeemed, but that is another topic).  Ok,
the first line of the prophecy SEEMS to say the same as the last, but
knowing what we know about a certain eavesdropper, could the first
line be in the present tense? Sybil could have been telling DD that
the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord
approaches...literally...he could be right outside.  I only thought
this because it seems such an odd way to begin and end the
prophecy...why couldn't she just say "The one with the power to
vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies" to
start with?  Why begin it the way she does?  Does the whole prophecy
discuss one person?  JK rarely phrases things, especially important
things, in a random, haphazard way.  I am convinced there is a reason
the prophecy was written like this.

Go ahead and poke holes in this...I will just send you the bill for my
counseling :0)

Adam