Friday, December 19, 2008

Slide and Snap

Time is a leash with an impatient dog
attached. It slips through my unwary fingers
in fits and starts, not smoothly, yanking straight.
The friction of it burns my palm and leaves
a scarlet mark, a sign of wasted chance.
Caught in the slide and snap of time's advance
I lose ground; then, a moment's lull deceives
me into thinking I'll catch up. Too late:
the opportunity knocks once and never lingers.
Another milestone vanishes in fog.

Time is a current; flow between two poles
of past and future. Every passing spark
is ours to seize and hold against the dark—
each moment full of promise for our souls.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like the metaphor of dog on leash, but especially like the wisdom in the final verse.

Elizabeth

Rinkly Rimes said...

We can only hold on to memories if the memories are willing.

latree said...

it's like 'use your five chance before it turns become the opposites...'

chance before its late
young before old
health before sick
rich before poor
life before death

Granny Smith said...

This is not only a wonderful sonnet variation but a truth beautifully expressed. I love that rhyme schene of ABCDEEDCBA FGGF. I'll try to catch that spark. But that leash of the impatient dog is leaving blisters on my fingers!

Roan said...

Grab hold of those opportunities before they slip away. Lovely poem with words to make us think.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading this poem--especially the metaphor of the dog on a leash!

Wonderful rhyme scheme. :)

Linda Jacobs said...

You are a modern-day Robert Frost! He paid such attention to detail and you do, too!

Always a pleasure to read your poems and enjoy the craft.

Tumblewords: said...

Love to read your poetry which is always full of fine words and perfect form...

Anonymous said...

Hi :),
My first time here through Sun. Scribblings.
Both metaphors are penned well. I'm especially struck by the first, only because I think I relate to it the best. Fine poetry.