Why is it so easy to remember
the undone?
Do I ever lie abed,
not even dreaming of sleep
long into a restless night
recounting what I have done?
The presents bought
soon sink
treasures in deep quiet waters
of done
the presents unbought
bob and float
jetsam in stormy seas
of unease
Promises kept, projects finished
duties done, agenda accomplished
These have small space in memory.
Their stay is short, their value small.
But the one undone, ignored,
dreaded, or simply avoided
Ah, such a one glues itself to my soul,
wraps itself around my awareness
toothpicks my sleepless eyes,
treadmills my restless limbs
devil to the god of peace,
demon spawn of conscience.
Procrastination we name it:
“For tomorrow”
As if it were a positive contained thing,
a plan, an eagerly awaited opportunity.
Nonhodie
we should name it
“Not today”
Never today
The done is yesterday
dismissed, discounted
The planned is tomorrow
anticipated, awaited
The deferred is
when?
prolonged, postponed,
protracted, paused
Never today
Procrastinated.