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| photograph of "Dawson House" in Mobile, Alabama, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston |
Rumpelstiltskin was my
attorney
I never knew what time
I was supposed to arrive for
appointments I'd made in the
past
so I always went earlier
than I thought I had arranged
so I could be thereabouts
right on or near schedule
down the manor lane
a large house beckoned me
the gathering
gloaming said
to venture inside the
entry hallway
where I read a sign above
his office
telling me, “now never
waits, why should you”
we see to believe
time goes for the jugular
while capsule mementos
are the sentimental
human-trick-long-sleeves
we cover our tracks with
we deceive ourselves
Rumpelstiltskin said
with immortality and its sheen
we preen feathers
for working class daughters
take gazpacho for instance
who knew tomatoes
were a breakfast food in
love
directly connecting
alchemy and romance
you’re billed for the hour
regardless, Edward
so stop watching where
time went
every lance of the minute
hands
and their hourly watch are
not your friends
you, yourself, savor and slow
things down
when engaged in bargaining
for your life or more
I’m only here to make sure
you get what you pay for
EJR ©
