Does Anyone Have the Time?
This poem was read by Ned Barry for a poetry slam at Frozen Dead Guy Days, Nederland, Colorado, March 15, 2015
And how much time do you have
Do you ever think about why the Swan took Leda
Or why a white bull seduced Europa
Can you see your grandmother, Matron of the mountain, a wicker basket in the crook of
her arm, conducting a train of kids who pick flowers as she names and explains each
one: pasque flower May, mariposa lily June, indian paintbrush July, nodding onion
August, sadness come September with a wave and a toodleoo
And do you think Zeus laughs or cries when he hears kids these days speaking odd
phrases like: “Yolo, Dude!”
Must be brutal to be forever.
And yet
Cryogenics. Antioxidants. Paleodiets. Caloric Deprivation. Coffee enemas. Cut a hole in
the ice and dive in Chocolate, wine, sex and coffee in a mug, now you’re talkin’
Too much time: bag of bones and a hank of hair
Too little time: blood and tissue on the shower floor (I’m sorry)
Outcome, goals, end objectives, bottom lines, sum total, the whole kit and kaboodle
If I can just live one day longer than my irksome neighbor
No, I think I’ll try to live each day like it’s my first. And nap a lot.
And laugh enough
And pray deeply