Gifts of Time

Time is a byproduct of existence
Without distance there can be
No time
Without objects
There can be no distance
So
Without things there could be no time

Objects are always telling us the time
A number of heartbeats
Defines a minute
Driving a car
Links hours to landscape
Returning to see
The height of a young tree
Has doubled
Can measure years
Someone leaving
Can show us the passing
Of a moment

I had to change pens
To write this
Because the first one
Ran out of ink
Must have been in my bag
For months

Things always change yet
We are surprised
Yesterday you started your car
But today the electrons have fled
From your car battery into the ground
So today
You wait for Triple A

Body parts once flexible are less so
Once fast have slowed
Once sure, don't know

Time is our friend
Not only for creating
Boundaries
Possibilities
And endless variety
Of change, but
It's greatest gift:

That for each of us
It ends. 

-- Tom Rubenoff