I was given an hour yesterday
from the time-dictators.
and found myself wondering
what to do with this wiggling gift
this hour —
sleep on it, play with it,
stuff it full with another task?
or better … talk with a friend,
write a long letter or a short story,
really enjoy a meal,
chase the early sunset with my heart,
and be glad to welcome
the crescent moon?
I’d love to keep my hour safe
for the morning I wake up late,
or am stuck in traffic,
or the evening
I am talking about a sorrow,
that needs to take its time.
If I could
I’d give my hour away
to an inmate at visiting hours,
or someone dying
as soon as a child’s plane lands,
to people in north Syria
running to refuge,
or those fleeing the California fires
who need to grab —
photo album or teddy bear,
to a dog-lover arm full of fur
last time at the vet,
or a child who wants
one-more-sled ride down the hill
on a midwinter night.
Too many choices —
for the hour I was given yesterday,
but look —
I am given another one today.
I read this to my ‘seniors fellowship’ today for devotions. We reflected how precious a single hour is and how blessed with hours we are. Then I shared some highlights of the 26 days Tralee and I spent whirling round the world (that had prevented me attending our October meeting). Due to the decrees of the ‘time-dictators’ we missed an entire day yet packed in a massive amount!
How wonderful (and I am sure you were missed but your travels were a fun armchair adventure for the group) They were surely good hours for us.
Indeed! And, indeed – Happy Hours all round!
Yes, you tipple the tipple and I will tipple the ginger ale!
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