To the Fullest

hurry up and wait

Standing in line
Wasting good time

Make the most of
every moment
That’s what they say

I stood in line
at the DMV today

I sat in my car
at a red light or ten
On my way to work,
And back home again

The checkout was long
at the grocery store
Quick trip to the post office?
An hour or more

This waiting is something
that no one avoids
Standing in lines
with the other androids
Programmed to wait
“Now, each take a turn”
While precious life seconds,
like calories, burn
Used up, wasted, in
the most thoughtless way
Discarded like pennies
in some millionaire’s play
Some drama that begs
me to carpé diem
The forest – before me
Trees? I can’t see them

Not to mention that
one third of the day
is wasted completely
I sleep it away

Convincing myself that
it’s downtime I need
Sit watching the T.V.
Doing nothing…
With…great…speed

I paused just before
I wrote that last line

While I’m pondering
I’m squandering
My precious time

My time on Earth.
For what it’s worth.

© Jeff Wilson, 2006