#274 Time: A Vacant Illusion Poem by Jimmie Arrington

I’ve been waiting for so long now,
Then I see you come and go.
You choose your speed and somehow
You’re fastest when you’re slow.

I wish you'd come back until
I wish you would hurry by.
You don’t have wings but still
Somehow you seem to fly.

It’s you who ticks the second hand
And makes the minutes pass.
It's you who pulls the red sand
Through the down-turned hourglass.

They say you heal all things,
They say you mend a broken heart.
You erase all the cuts and stings
And wipe away each smart.

You’re invisible yet I see you
In my eyes and others’ faces.
You make flowers, fresh and new,
Wither in their crystal vases.

You’re the father of the ages,
You never grow old or frail.
You split lovers apart in stages
And cause friendships to sail.

You made my siblings mature and grow,
You’ve turned my parents gray.
You took my grandpa years ago
And my wedding one year ago today.

Maybe you’re just a vacant illusion,
You help but make things worse.
Now I’m still without conclusion:
Are you a blessing or a curse?