I Hate the Calendar

Ever feel like time is killing you?

I hate the calendar.

It hangs in the assumption

that something will happen.

not that it has to happen,

nor that it needs to happen,

but it will happen anyway,

no matter what I say.

I hate the calendar,

not because I fear commitment,

but I despise the thought of obliging myself

to something that doesn’t pertain

to my present state - 

tomorrow can worry about itself;

I have enough to worry about today.

I hate the calendar.

Every day is another tilted red cross

that I bear. It’s a vibrant

intersection of lifelines

and deadlines -

everything I can do in this life

and how long I have to do it.

I most hate the calendar

because it answers

the question of my mortality.

It screams from every corner

“Your days are numbered!”

I know I’ll die;

I don’t need a calendar to remind me.

Reviews

[John]

The poem supports what you say in your profile about metaphors: keep them to a minimum and make good use of them. The one that you do use is a corker. I have interpreted a string of telephone poles as a long line of crosses, but the little red cross on the calendar is one to bear as well.

[Dana Alsamsam]

this is very straight forward and definitely hits home! the clocks just keep ticking and it gets pretty stressful when we feel like our lives are being propelled forward and concentrated on the future against our will. i particularly enjoyed these lines:
"Every day is another tilted red cross
that I bear. It’s a vibrant
intersection of lifelines
and deadlines"
intriguing comparison. great work!

[krish]

Nice poem, totally came from your heart indeed.1oo/1oo.

[ericdeben]

The last stanza really sold it, Brendan. I like the concept associated with the calendar. The "I hate the calendar" line felt a just little repetitive. But other than that, very well done.

[....]

Kind of cute their in the end, I adored this piece, thought it was unique...xo

[Luciole]

Wow this is really good. I especially love your last three stanzas.