''Time'' Poem by Quentin Sands

Since the beginning it has been here.........
When we get up, weather its at the crack of dawn or before the roster crows its ahead of us.
We look to see it but it somehow evades our view.
Mere predictions are captured momentarally on precision pieces, which too are subject to the
bekoning of its un-obtainable master.

Photographs gives us the imagery of good-times, happy
occassions, celebrations, parties, annaveraries.....the first steps, the first dance, the first
date, the first ride or a loved one long gone but not forgotten. But canyou see him there
lurking in the shadows, waving behind a sibilings head or pearched on Grand-dad's aged laps
as he rocks back and forth ever so gently in his soft arm-chair.

Can you see him when the streaks of grey come out from hiding, or the arms shake; when
the knees buckle and sway form walking with added load.
Is he there when child-hood games ceases; texbooks replaces scantly cladded dolls, tea
cups, ballerina shoes, ribbons, tricycles, action figures, big red fire trucks, , videogames and back-
yard swings. When facial geastures are no longer cute or precious but rather premeditated
to impel demands.

No! ....., you cannot see him but he is there watching, waitngfor the precise moment to strike
like a poisonous adder coiled up in a deep, dark hole.
Can you charm him, ........no! presuede or bribe him, ..........no! Can you reason wih him like
mortals, chronologically listing to him all the things you have accomplished in this life in order
to win his frienship........no!
All we can do is hope that he forgives and approves of our previous actions.