Isabelle M.Time Sucked Up

Untitled, Shiza Ghani, 2022

When I write out my to-do list any afternoon, The page overflowing or room to scribble running out, I tell myself to do everything: I arrive late with wet hair and raw cookies. When I try, every minute is filled, expectations set high, Not enough is done in all that time.

Time Sucked Up

Isabel McHenry, 2020

When the child I’m babysitting won’t settle down, They want mom to come home or they can’t face the dark, I tell them to go to sleep: it makes the time go faster. When you wake up, mommy is home, morning comes, No time has passed since that’s been done.

When dreams I thought that I would dare pop in my head, Pushed aside years ago for fear or maybe foolishness, I tell those dreams excuses: I focused elsewhere instead of giving up. When we look back, unmet goals are silent ghosts Nobody has the time, I cannot get it done.