The Tug of Time

Who has not felt
the tug of time?

the beggar plucking at the sleeve
thief time, the sudden mugger,
secret seducer time
dressed as AllGiver,
time, the public face of death,

pulling, gently at first, a breeze,
then lovingly, a warm wave
that’s bouying up our weight,
then sharply, as a stream that strikes
on weary aching feet
a flash of joyous agony.

putting its question only once,
but all the time :

"Beyond the water that is here
and now has moved towards the sea -
what is it that remains?"


(c) Richard Lawson
Congresbury July 2004