Monday, December 10, 2007

This Moment, Here

This moment, here, is all we have to live--
to reminisce, appreciate, forgive--
and there are no exchanges or returns.
Time runs out like water from a sieve
or refugees when some poor city burns.
The last reward that no-one ever earns
is extra time. No extra innings run,
the final lesson no-one ever learns:
how little time we have beneath the sun.
We all protest: "It can't be! I'm not done!"
when Atropos with fatal silver shears
approaches. All the time that Clotho spun
we spent or squandered. Now the living years
have dwindled to a point. This moment, here.

In memory of my grandfather, C. T. Shen
1913 - 2007
who wasted no moments in a long and fruitful life

May I do half as well.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a tribute.
May you live as long and as fruitful a life.
Frances
http://blogforth.com/2007/12/11/the-moment/

Russell Ragsdale said...

Heartfelt and full - a relly wonderful appreciation of life!

Bobbe Edmonds said...

There is an edict from heaven on a golden ribbon, and it reads; "Peace in the next world, for a man who understands his purpose in this one".

Your Grandfather sees you, Tiel.

Pauline said...

The lines seem to pour down the page like grains of sand through an hourglass.

Anonymous said...

A lovely and loving tribute.

Rose

xo

Preethi said...

What a lovely tribute... and how true the here and now is what we have ....
great read!!
Final Adieu

Tumblewords: said...

A lovely tribute. Even while we know this, it's difficult for most of us to live it. Wonderful post!

Richard Wells said...

"Time runs out...like refugees when some poor city burns," Youch!

Anonymous said...

'This moment, here' loved it... beautiful. Thanks,

UL

Mary Timme said...

This is just what I wished to say. No regrets, no excuses! Live. Well, done.

Steve Perry said...

Very well done, Tiel.

When my grandfather died, I dedicated a short story to him, and they actually printed the note at the end.

Karina said...

This was beautiful and a wonderful tribute. Very nice!!

Unknown said...

A very powerful piece. I loved Pauline's comment too! Very poetic.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing.

Keith's Ramblings said...

What a tribute! A fabulous read.

little wing writer said...

yes, yes..and yes...

Tiel Aisha Ansari said...

Thanks, all. It means a lot to me.