Time Tumbles
by Michael Doyle

Time Tumbles in its own jagged way
This February is given a 29th day
Called out special as a leap year
For myself, it's a cause to cheer

Is it four years or passing as one
That my work life has been done
I purposefully retired on this day
So that I might recall it in this way

In 2020, I was among the walking sick
I made my decision, and I made it quick
That it might seem like a poetic line
But I would retire on February 29

It was to be my own special Valentine
That I would choose life on February 29
This was my celebration that would suffice
To focus on my life by this poetic device

For most of my life, days fell as they would
Some were bad, some okay, and others were good
But most of them were spent serving others
Trying to live up to loving one another

In the process, chemicals had burned through
Leaving a mind-numbing hole, as these often do
And I had been reminded hard of our numbered days
Having the chance, I decided to spend mine in other ways

Photography and poetry would become my line
This was, to me, a gift as a special Valentine
I would spend my remaining days bringing beauty
Instead of being a mindless minion doing my duty

Four years out, maybe it's a foolish dream
But it's one that holds me together at the seams
I raise a toast of flavored water at this year won
Four as it is that have become mine and done

One day at its precious time left to be lived
Gathered up in a force of one, in all I've left to give
I remain thankful for this year, or was it really four
This is what illusions like this are for...

(c) February 29, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved