Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TIME SLIPS AWAY, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TIME SLIPS AWAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It's weeks, no months, perhaps a year
Last Line: Time slips away before you know.
Subject(s): Time


It's weeks, no, months, perhaps a year,
Since we have written anyone
Down East. We are so busy here,
So much to do, so little done --
The stock to feed,
And neighbors in,
And land to seed,
And then begin
To cultivate, and harvest -- so
Time slips away before you know.

Perhaps they say tonight down East:
"We haven't written -- it's a crime --
Out West in months, a year at least;
But then we never have the time:
We're either out,
Or entertain,
We're just about --
About insane,
With work, and places we must go;
Time slips away before you know."

Perhaps some day our own affairs
Of great importance -- are they great? --
Will let us write, and so will theirs;
God grant we do not write too late,
Too late to tell
Our love, alas,
Or say farewell
Before they pass --
And yet it often happens so;
Time slips away before you know.





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