Finding Time

I wrote this poem for my oldest childhood friend, Alyson for her wedding zine (a compilation of creative submissions from wedding guests). Alyson and I were best friends all through elementary and middle school, and then grew apart in high school. We then had little to no contact for 10+ years. During that time we both went to college, held various jobs, travelled the world, loved and lost, and loved again and then ended up back in San Francisco. I never forgot about Alyson throughout - you never truly forget your first real friend. Alyson was the first person to inspire me to be creative, and something about that always lingered with me. While this poem is about romantic love, it was initially inspired by my recent reconnection with Alyson after all this “lost” time. When we started hanging out again, it was as if we hadn’t lost any time at all.

Every person on this planet

Is looking for this "time"

How is it that we take for granted

Something we can't find?

Is he really that elusive?

A master of hide-and-seek

Or is he just reclusive?

A hermit on a mountain's peak

People claim he slips away

Discreet, and quiet like a snake

As if you could seize the day

From the moment you awake

They say time stops

When you've met the one

He gives you props

And says "I'm done!"

And all that time

You couldn't find

On this tough climb

Slows to a grind

You've reached that peak

In clouds above

That time you seek

Is found in love