Marking Time

Marking Time

Quickly the old year passes into yesterday’s abyss,

Taking with it the memories of happiness, holiday bliss.

It is up to us who are still here determined to press ahead,

To capture that time, hold it fast, and remember what was said.

To move one's feet without moving along in stride,

Is what is known as being idle or just marking time.

And so goes those who see no value in their life,

But only wasted opportunities swallowed up in strife.

It was of their own choosing, this life that they have,

Their choices, their decisions, whether good or bad.

It’s up to us which way we should go or which path we should trod,

But those who find no good in life find my comment odd.

Moving their feet in the rhythm of a stationary march,

Without advancing in a forward motion, just staying parked.

It’s the manner of some to never move ahead,

Whether because of sorrows or battles or even simple dread.

Time waits for no one, rich or poor, young or old,

It marches ahead without exception or so I’ve been told.

So if this is the manner in which we must live our lives,

I’ll muster my courage to face tomorrow determined to survive.

Over the years that are now all behind,

I’ve seen this same situation, one familiarly unkind.

Where people refuse to move forward because of fear,

That things will bring them conflict in the new year.

But isn’t that what life is about after all,

To live it to the fullest awaiting our call.

A release from the trials, calamities and the like,

Marching ever forward out of the darkness and into light.

By: Dan R. Fowler

For: Astrid