Time's Next Move

Waiting for the inevitable to happen

 

Time’s Measure

 

As time’s measure

moves to months we

tighten our watch,

wary of each new pain,

ready to fly south.

 

Ten years past

the cancer seemed

inconvenient,

a weaker rival

to your suspect

heart’s attention.

 

Five years free, then

seven, a shrill

cicada drilled

out from underground,

but time was unmoved,

the bug in mock retreat.

 

Year nine bore diff’rent

news, assassin spread

of unseen fingers

like hidden clover

shoots, squeezing

your lungs for space.

 

The tide turns briefly

back, but now that

once weak rival

spreads like crackling

winter fire proudly

radiating from

your gray stone hearth.

 

We check departures

for West Palm Beach,

and other points,

as cell phones

keen at news

of time’s next move.

 

David P. Eckert

October 24, 2004

Reviews

[~crazy Beautiful~]

very interesting and creative visual piece
I especially liked this stanza
"As time's measure

moves to months we

tighten our watch,

wary of each new pain,

ready to fly south."

I saw the birds of life as they are flying off on us
nice work
thank you for entering my contest

[Krystal Waters]

This is so true... we wish and we pray that all will be well. Your father fought the good fight! He was a Contender amongst Contenders, even through to the end. You can be proud of him as he is very proud of you. And all who grieve his loss... I hope they get some hope that they are blood line of such a strong man. Very nice...


Krystal