Time for Staying, Time for Going

Posted on April 22, 2023 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  Friday Writings #73:  Time Affects All Things


The prisoner
was due to be
executed at midnight.
One minute previous,
the governor called.
Stay of execution.

-------------------------

In fanciful pink
clusters, the cherry
trees formed an
arch in the park.
Spring was here.
Summer nudged Spring
aside too soon.  Alas,
some trees were pre-
maturely green,
and others were 
dropping petals.

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
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16 Responses to Time for Staying, Time for Going

  1. Helen says:
    April 22, 2023 at 1:01 am

    Well, we have yet to see Spring!!!! Hoping for this weekend. Stays are a good thing, when it comes to executions, when it comes to amazing vacations!

    Like

  2. Penelope Notes says:
    April 22, 2023 at 1:49 am

    Your words express well how timing is everything. Even a few seconds delayed can result in a chance meeting, change destiny or stay an execution.

    Like

  3. Lisa says:
    April 22, 2023 at 2:11 am

    Those are so beautiful together. The seasons changing on the other side of the prison walls (which is what I, in part, visualized). The juxtaposition of the two. In my real life, it’s cold and not very springy, yet next week will be near 90, so summer will be nudging, or shoving, spring aside to the detriment of the fruit trees.

    Like

  4. Jim says:
    April 22, 2023 at 2:33 am

    I like the contrast, ‘in the nick of time’ versus ‘time seems to vacillate, hot and cold’, very clever, Sara. That’s what our spring and summer are doing down here in Texas as well. Breaking records on both sides now.
    ..

    Like

  5. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    April 22, 2023 at 4:39 am

    Twice over, you encapsulate the importance of timing — in two very different ways.

    Like

  6. Kestril Trueseeker says:
    April 22, 2023 at 1:10 pm

    Two very strong but very different takes on the topic. I like how the first was the more hopeful piece, while the second was the more resigned.

    Like

  7. Rajani Radhakrishnan says:
    April 24, 2023 at 4:51 am

    Timing makes so much difference, doesn’t it.. and cherry blossoms teach this so beautifully.

    Like

  8. dsnake1 says:
    April 25, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    You have written it so well.
    Time can be so precious to some, and too much for others.

    Like

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