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
Denys E. W. Jones
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-race-against-time/
