Gripe

The malicious windings of your hasty pace
That erase sweet memories and their trace
Waste things that breathes and ones mute;
Pitiless Time, you are such a ruthless brute!

If you only aged men who your dials mess,
Or only blighted the cute ignorant mistress
Who thinks that your clocks tick for naught;
Then yours would be a war honestly fought.

But in your cruel rounds of unjustified rage 
You smite the harmless poet with old age,
And thus anon halt scribblings of their pen,
And dull his wits beyond their laudable ken.

Perhaps no one has rebuked your wanton brutality,
And maybe you'd grant a poet's pursuit for eternity –
But if in your undue use of force you snuff my breath,
Then at least leave this humble verse in intact health.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Dunn Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 5:14 PM
Voyager of truthful exsistence and realize I'm a spirit of souls moving ever onward's, so I'll just enjoy my time here and now. But I'm looking forward to the next adventure, cheri
Dunn Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 5:11 PM
Dear Hannington Time is indeed a ruthless enemy to all writers, I'd like to freeze those hands of our inner clocks myself, but on the other hand the next journey is inticing, what lies in that undiscovered country beyond these aged limbs, it makes the mind wonder does it not. I'm a realist and know something out their is waiting for us beyond our mortal fleshy exsistence, I've almost died twice before, and am not afraid of what lies beyond, so the legacy in this life means alot, but I'm a
A   Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Hannington Mumo, this is a deep write. Time I assume is exact how you describe and give face too. WOW, I'm much pleased to read this. I shall keep reading more, and become familiar with your poems. Hugs. LINDA
Mumo Avatar
February 24, 2016 at 8:14 PM
Thanks!
Chircop Avatar
December 4, 2015 at 5:22 AM
Yes old age is a battle against the poet's pen , but not against the word, cuz what is done is done, and what have been written remains, so lets write while we can , fantastic poem.
Y. Avatar
December 2, 2015 at 8:19 AM
WoW! This is such a good write. I enjoyed the flow and your skillful rhymes. Winning an argument with father time is not possible. But your words will stand against the test of time. Excellent job! :-) Alexis 7
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
November 24, 2015 at 9:51 PM
Just a wow, powerful and striking me off cue but it good way!~Olive Eloisa =`)
Hunjeri Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Wow, just wow. this poem shows what a great a poet you are, now and beyond the faces of time. #7
Marcum Wong Avatar
November 14, 2015 at 11:52 PM
This poem expresses an argument with Time we will never win, but fortunately with poetry our words are eternal and when we can no longer string a few words together our legacy will still stand proud! Loved this one Hannington!
Terry Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 5:26 AM
Hannington, you have captured the race against time to complete a life's work. To put to paper what is on our mind before old age robs us of our thoughts and death stills our pen. You have communicated this so delightfully in your poem. You are such a deep thinker and your poetry offers great insight. I love your poetry, my friend. Can't wait to read the next one. :) Janece
Canerdy Avatar
November 12, 2015 at 5:01 PM
This one would get a 7+ if the scale went higher! Your dramatic use of personification is very impressive--as is your choice of topic and theme. Janice
Nau Avatar
November 12, 2015 at 1:24 PM
VERY GOOD! Awww yes what I call Exestential Depression...that angst that everything worked for (earned, strived, achieved, gained, knowledge, material or inmaterial) is all for not! Our lesson as the wick burns down. Everything is just a gift to use for a short time & then the gift moves on. I enjoyed the plot, the "having it out" with Time. I enjoyed the rhyme, personification, & easy flow that moves this forward. Seven (7)
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