My Mother's Poem Poem by Kim Barney
My Mother's Poem
The Time is Now
The time is now.
Wait not to do the things your heart desires
Until that day when cares are few and there is time.
That day is but a sprite with dancing feet,
Who keeps forever just beyond your reach.
The time is now.
The time is now.
How often have you passed a weary soul
And did not pause to give a cheering word or smile?
Let not your golden chance slip by; the door,
Once closed, perhaps may open nevermore.
The time is now.
I guess they really liked it, because they published it in the December 1960 issue on TWO DIFFERENT PAGES! It's on page 937 and again on page 954. On page 937 it shows a comma after THE DOOR and on page 954 that comma is missing. Which way she originally wrote it, I don't know.
My sister probably doesn't remember which way she submitted it, either, after all these years.
NOTE: On both pages it shows a period, not a question mark, after the word SMILE. As a former English teacher, I couldn't resist putting a question mark there instead. I take full credit (or blame) for that. I also changed the comma after the word BY to a semicolon.
The picture shows my mother as a young girl. Growing up on the plains of Alberta, Canada, all the other kids called her 'Reindeer' because she could run so fast. She could even outrun the boys.
Submitted 24 Nov 2015
The time is now. How often have you passed a weary soul. Mother's poem is very nice interesting and heart touching. Fantastic expression touches mind many times.10..May Mother's soul rest in peace.
This is the last poem my mother ever wrote before she passed away, and one of her best. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
Once again, Kim, I just have to say there is a poem latent i your prose comment. And it doesn't have to be decorated with rhymes or metaphors. Just lined as verse, because a story as strong as this already is poetry in its truth and universality. Call it Reindeer Runner and save the reason for that nickname for the poem's closing. Your friends called you Reindeer Runner because you were so fast, and time itself envied your speed and grace. Alas, even you were caught by time and dragged into the silent depths of earth. But I know in my mind still linked to yours your running days over, your eternity of flight has begun.
Your mother's poem is absolutely amazing and I love her attitude about life. I feel just like that! And what a sweet photo of little Reindeer.
Great poem. The short lines and longer lines seem to work great. Fantastic message. Your mother looks like a happy girl in that photograph...10
Lovely poem, lovely story behind it too. And I agree with your punctuation changes. Thanks, Kim
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/26/2024 1:12:50 AM # 1.0.0.1119
This is so wonderfully good.What a fantastic piece of your history and a beautiful poem as well.Thank you Kim for this great read.Geoffrey.
Thank you, Geoffrey. I appreciate the comment.