Wasting

We counted the minutes

Awaiting the striking of a clock

We didn’t control,

Time counted in monotone

On gray wall

In darkened space-

Although they were our minutes

Our hours spent

With little thanks-

We threw them away

As we wished for the next step-

Passing we would never reclaim

Watched washed down a drain

While eager eyes were

Looking towards days

Spent beneath the sun

Or by an ocean view

Or among the mountains-

Spending time meeting

Our own desires

And not the repetition owned

By the clock hands

Always slowing-

An idea we all shared

Without the hindsight

That one day

We would be wishing it away-

Wasting moments

Within four walls and on screens-

And not among the trees

And flowing rivers,

The sun and moon

That dictate to us the passing-

And wishing for more

When the final moments ticked by-

Knowing we would never again

Have the seconds, minutes, hours,

Days, weeks, years

We donated to someone else

In exchange for paper bills

That we spent on goods

And services

Produced by someone else

Wasting and wishing

His moments away

With disregard of the fact

That they would never be regained

And were not properly spent

When they belonged to us.

We are lining the pockets

Of someone else

With our own clock

And have little remorse

For the wasted moments

Until it is too late.

What do we do then?

Katrina Thornley is a nature poet and novelist that resides in Rhode Island. She has two poetry collections currently published, a novel, as well as a short story anthology. Her poetry collections "Arcadians: Lullaby in Nature" and "Arcadians: Wooden Mystics" were inspired by a local park and life in her small rural town. You can find them on Amazon now!

Also, be sure to give her a follow on Instagram!