The Measure of a Day

Tell me, what is the measure of a day?

A hand's sweep, lines through a list?

When darkness comes, what will stay?

Open, welcoming hands or clenched fists?

Tired arms at ease, unladen but sure

remembering the weight of morning labor?

a calling out, a yearning, a thirst for more,

dwindling minutes, shrinking light to savor?

Free me, for now, from the tyranny of time

and things set aside, work left undone.

Roads unexplored, mountains unclimbed

will surely wait for another day's sun.

Breathe, as still water mirrors the dark sky

and a doubled moon fills my grateful eyes.