Existential Expenses
You get only so much time
to come out and play.
How you choose to use it
is up to you.
You may waste it,
but time ... and choice
are the gifts,
the paper and pencil
with which to write your story,
aching emptiness the penalty
for allowing someone else
to write it for you.
What will you choose to do
with your one and only,
very precious life*
is for living.
That is "all" there is,
choice and the time
to implement your decision.
Isn't that miraculous
enough?
*Paraphrase of Mary Oliver's "Tell me, what is it
you plan to do with your wild and precious life?"
