Time

They say time is of the essence

And yes everyday it’s in our presence.

In everything we do, or whatever happens

Time is one factor

That will always matter.

I can’t say I have all the experience in life

But one thing I have come to appreciate as a virtue

That is learnt but not necessarily respected is time.

We all plan everything in respect of time,

You name it and you know time is an aspect.

But keeping to it is what differentiates two people.

I used to wonder, why someone would be upset;

If I am late to meet them by a few minutes

But after being exposed to the world and the reality of things;

 I have realised that it is of a great deal.

I came to understand that people get impatient

Not because they don’t want to be kept waiting,

But mainly because time matters and that your delay,

Falls onto the next plan and that eventually

May mean the day for them ending later than they intended it to

Or ending unaccomplished contrary to their vision. 

It’s not as simple as "it’s just a few minutes."  

A few minutes can mean a whole lot,

It can change someone’s life and can even make or break a situation.

Each day we get we consider a blessing but are we making the most of that?

I have been at fault a couple of times,

For being late and not in accord with time keeping

But it’s a point where I realise that I am wasting

People’s valuable time.

Every minute is accounted for and people have dreams to achieve

I refuse to be judged and put in a bracket.

And it is time I step up and realise it

Statements like “...African timing” irk me

It took a recent experience to realise this

It brought me to a point of disregard with myself.

After personally reflecting on it, I said that I will do all in my ability

To ensure no one ever says this directed to me.

I am always saying ‘you only live once’

Blatantly and without much thought

But truth of the matter is those words do mean something.

If we get just this one chance, then why do I waste it?

Hence I have decided upon a new mind-set;

Every minute I have is a chance, and each chance I get,

I am choosing to make something out of it.

With this in place I’ll definitely see a change.

So my new target is to take life and head forth for it,

Without wasting time to fulfil my dreams,

To capture all the opportunities I can,

To strategically ensure that every minute I decide to make worth,

Better be worth.

You only live once BUT if you do it right,

Once is enough.

 © Christine Kariuki