“Time, Stop!” I decried. "This must be a crime.
There are happier ways to pass time, Time."
"Stop crying. You're crying on a date, with me?
Who fibbed? saying life's gifts came free of fees.
Every gift that you gathered when things went your way -
You’ll rue their receipt once they’re wrested away.
Let's have a date...
when I'll take away
each bliss you have known -
every pleasure bestowed.
Of those former gifts, some bring a tear today.
Some bring much more tears - mourning, night and day.
Some smart at your heart like a stinging, sharp knife.
Some inhabit your dreams for the rest of this life.
After you sum up these somes, sorrows, and strife,
you’ve summed more tears than seconds of life.
You’ll cease summing when you’ve passed away,
dumbstruck by the unreason of endless dismay.
You might wish you'd killed Me before you’d been born;
before Time determined the time you'd be born."
Now, a bit shaken by this...
I asked if ever she gives
better gifts. Since the gifts
up to this, would not much be missed.
Time paused a bit and mentioned this:
"Reconsider the notion gift.
The answer turns upon this."
All is Vanity. Image by Charles Allan Gilbert, American, 1873 - 1929.
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