Time

When you’re five time’s like a kitten,

full of fun, chasing shadows.

When you’re twelve she’s like a tortoise,

Ponderous, slow like a snail goes.

In your teens, she’s like a gerbil

running fast upon the wheel

When you wed then she’s a despot,

Who makes you lie or even steal?

Then your babies come in time, when

nothing ever is in synch.

All the places you must go to

and there’s never time to think.

Before you know what happened to you,

when you thought to get a break.

Kids are gone and grands are coming

All you do is sit and think.

Then you wonder, are they coming.

“Sorry, dad can’t make it now.”

Time’s become an evil serpent

twisting, sliding inside out.

Time won’t bargain or appease you

when you need her love the most.

It’s too late by then to argue

with that evil, spiteful host.

Time has only one rejoinder

that will get you anywhere

Learn respect of her conditions

use them well, and never fear.

Herb Ratliff, November 2, 2012, All Rights Reserved