NOW AND THEN

NOW AND THEN - About a constrained Relationship

We will not speak of what might have been, let us not talk of what, perhaps, we would have seen

Though it is a pleasant and disturbing phantom, and it charms us away from the present

Nor will we whisper of a future we cannot give but here and now hand in hand let us live

Even if the dawn is dark and the far distant is but a blank, even if the tree is stripped bare

And even if the life and the kernel is gone, let us be content, as drunken, with mere bark

We may not have tomorrow and hereafter but in the instant laughter and with rude impatience let us comfort and ease the solitude of one who remains not a stranger.

We will not dally and we will not stutter, come, look even now the fat is being taken away from the  slaughter. Let us laden our table with fine goods from China and let us command Egyptian dancing girls and pipers from Afghanistan. Pies to crunch, meat to chew and refined wine too. Drink now and drink deep for tomorrow is denied except for dormant, solitary slumber.

Even if the morning never wakes and the sun comes not near, even if the cistern runs dry. Though the  sentinels fail and the watchmen drift, let us be content as with parched lips, we slake our thirst with a passionate kiss. Hear our chattering guests as they gather banqueting. Hurry now  let us join them in the great hall of Ajalon and feast with them this day long. Here now take my hand and let us live.