Moment-ous Alliance

Because this precious element

That drips in pillaged plume

That falls beneath the shadow-tent

Of what none can exhume

That grants but once to everyone

Without re-run, each day

That tunes its tide of rain and sun

With what no one can sway

Or hoard, or take the credit for

Or curb, extend or mime

But is a gift; none should ignore

This element called Time

…because what-is fills what-has-been

And no one can re-do

But grace and mercy intervene

With morning, always new

To brace Time’s coffers, full of change

With thorough confidence

That all that none can rearrange

Does not estrange the Thence

Where recompense and Charge ally

Where we with grit and grin

Should take the Time to satisfy

The moment we are in

© Janet Martin