Sunday, January 25, 2009

IF I ONLY HAD TIME… (OSI)







…I would write less
(and hopefully better)
I would get
less done
(waste time well)
and I would take a leap of
the heart (but perhaps that is more
a matter of being
fearless than of time)



The inspiration for this post came from the OSI prompt, combined with a quote attributed, variously, to Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill: If I'd had more time I would have written you a shorter letter.

Visit ONE SINGLE IMPRESSION for haiku and other poetic responses to this prompt.

33 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Always love your words, lessons and reminders! Stay warm!

Quiet Paths said...

Looks like something I need to print out and put over my desk... with a few words inverted perhaps.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great post, Deb... Guess we all say "IF only we had more time..." don't we??? When I worked, I couldn't wait to retire so that I'd have more time. HA--I am retired now and still don't have enough time... BUT--at least I'm doing the things that I want to do these days, even if I do run out of time!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Geraldine said...

You've perfectly captured the essence of this prompt Deborah. Bravo!!!

bobbie said...

Wise words.

I've often said I admire the cartoonist, who says so much with a single picture. I guess the same is true when dealing with words. I ramble on so often, when it could all be said in so few words.

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

"... i would write less"
I had to smile at this one, because it does take time to write less.

I appreciate your comment and your observation. The bold letters on the acrostic is like a photo --- and it keeps the mind on what begins the journey, at least in my humble opinions.

Kim said...

Very wise words indeed. I too should print it out as a reminder not to rush things so much.

Rose said...

Well done! I need to try this sometime but I don't have the gift for it I am afraid.

Great Grandma Lin said...

if i had more time...not sure i'd use it any better. but it is an intriguing thought...thanks for the jump start.

anthonynorth said...

Perfectly understood with excellent words.

Anonymous said...

I totally love the line "get less done" -- so true, so true! Goes straight to the heart of the matter.

Anonymous said...

write less.... so good. and so true.
wonderful one.
and thanks for taking time to lookover at my place and leaving a comment. i appreciate it very much

Sherri B. said...

A leap of the heart...that's always a tough one, isn't it? Loved this!

SandyCarlson said...

When you take that leap, I'm going with you!

This poem demonstrates that less is surely more.

me ann my camera said...

"…I would write less
(and hopefully better)"
- give an important task to a busy task and it will get done. A lovely take on the prompt.

magiceye said...

ifs and butts!

edward said...

i would nap more.

Cloudia said...

You find inspiration everywhere!
Aloha-

floreta said...

i like the idea of wasting time well!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love the thread of wry humour in your poem that highlights and seems to shine light on the more serious comments!

Enjoyed this!

totomai said...

everything in parenthesis put a smile on my face and i dont know why. :-)

Beth P. said...

Dearest Deborah--
What if any of us, me for example because I'm thinking it, could grant you your wish?

I am so curious what the leap of heart would look like? Can you write us a post about that?

And...Twain, Lincoln and Churchill had in common a love of words and concepts. It's interesting that that quote should be attributed to those 3 talkative chaps--perphaps Lincoln the least talkative of them.

Loved this, and love to you!

Anonymous said...

..excellent..many thanks..

Anonymous said...

Very wise words, Deborah. I have realized as I read through everyone's poems today, that I need to work on my focus.

Avid Reader said...

wasting time well... long walks, staring at the clouds...

Time is such a strange thing. The days before the election just dragged, time slowed way down because I wanted the day to arrive, then waiting for the results... and other days cannot slow down for you, things rush at you.

If I didn't clean my own house I'd have more time ~ yet i just finished a deep cleaning and it feels very good to have done it.

Tumblewords: said...

With a smile, this is hard-hitting and moves one right to the 'and this is what time is about' phase. Lovely! A leap of heart is a fine thing.

Annie Jeffries said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annie Jeffries said...

What company? Excellent objectives.

qualcosa di bello said...

'a leap of the heart'...i love that phrase!!

Maggie said...

As I read this, I had to laugh as it tickled my senses.
I also enjoyed your story about the ice fishermen...I love fishing but ...in the summertime with a bright sun and me in the shade.

Jim said...

Yes, Deborah, the more time generally the shorter our writing gets. Mine is hardly ever short, guess I just don't have the time.

I learned a little but what will I do with what I learned?
All three, Lincoln, Twain, and Churchill quoted "a leap of
the heart."
Twain and Churchill from Goethe's Faust in his dealings with the Devil.
Lincoln from Terese of Lisieux, 19th Century:
“For me prayer is an upward leap of the heart.” Sister Terese may have been quoting Faust as well.
..
I think I learned I should read Faust again. I liked it way back when.

Tammy Brierly said...

I LOVED this! clever insights. :)

Anonymous said...

i could not help but smile....wonderful reflection...