Get On With It
The little Puerto Rican girl said
How many years do you have? She meant how old are you? but her wooden way of posing that common question was a doozy. What my mind’s ear heard was How many years do you have left? Christ, life wears us out, I thought. Then a sharp pang for the unlived life. Life’s too short to drink bad wine or
write be-good poems or never sleep
beneath the evening stars (which for a card carrying claustrophobe are the most soothing objects). How many years do we have left?
God only knows and he’s not telling. So mount up and get on with it. Don’t dither away the difficult splendor.
How many years do you have? She meant how old are you? but her wooden way of posing that common question was a doozy. What my mind’s ear heard was How many years do you have left? Christ, life wears us out, I thought. Then a sharp pang for the unlived life. Life’s too short to drink bad wine or
write be-good poems or never sleep
beneath the evening stars (which for a card carrying claustrophobe are the most soothing objects). How many years do we have left?
God only knows and he’s not telling. So mount up and get on with it. Don’t dither away the difficult splendor.
OH, this is gorgeously written. Your last line is magnificent!
Thanks, Teresa.
Indeed! My jaw literally (yes, literally!) dropped at that last line. Six life changing words. You are The Light Bearer!
Rich, I keep repeating that last line to myself…almost a mantra. Thanks, bro.
thank you. and that little girl too 🙂
You are very welcome!
…difficult splendor…yep…
Thanks, Amy. This week has been heavy on the difficult and shy on the splendor…
Oh John, these words are timely and wise. Do you mind if I print a copy, stick it behind the front door, and read it again each time I leave the house? (You don’t have to answer – I’m going to do it anyway! – because these words are valuable, so valuable.)
Kindest regards from the Alps
Ali
Thank you very much, Ali. My answer to your question would have been ‘by all means, yes!’ but I’m glad you went ahead and didn’t wait for me.