Style and Rhythm: Plans

I drew up a timeline of things that had to be done

And when they were to be done.

The time has passed.

Some were done. I reached some goals.

Some were changed. They had to be.

Some were never done. I got quite a surprise.

It was my first surprise of life

When one thing on the list wasn’t done.

It took me some time to adjust.

To console myself, I said I was experiencing life –

Disappointment, sadness, pity was part of it.

At the end – all of life, not the present day,

Would be worth revelry about.

So, I drew up another timeline. I never thought this would happen.

I have moved to another square, a different lane altogether.

It seems better.

However, my heart will always be disappointed,

Even close to shameful for that which I didn’t do.

But, as I still console myself,

That is life.

Adaudo Anyiam-Osigwe from her book of poems – A Little Understanding: Poems from the End of Childhood to the Beginning of Adulthood