The Race Against Time Poem by Denys E. W. Jones

I threw a gauntlet down to Time,
And challenged him to run
A mile or two alongside me,
And then we’d see who’d won.

I did not miss the starting-gun,
I flew out of the block,
Oblivious to trickling sands,
Or ticking of the clock.

I built up a substantial lead.
Time lagged far far behind -
Slow plodding on with feet of lead,
I borne upon the wind.

For Time was like the Tortoise,
And I was like the Hare –
Careering t’wards the Winning-Post,
The Spoils with none to share.

At length I slackened off a bit,
Pulled up for a short breather.
And while I paused, admired the view,
The Tortoise Time drew nearer.

Then, as he overhauled me,
(Imagine, quite a shock!)
I heard a sound like trickling sand,
Or ticking of a clock.

I strove to catch up with him,
Accelerate my pace.
Alas, I saw I’d lost all hope
Of staying in the race.

Now I was like the Tortoise,
Time like the fleet-foot Hare –
Careering t’wards the Winning-Post,
The Prize aloft to bear.

6/3/07