CHICAGO TIME


Time won't stop.
I have changed my clocks,
waited for Summer days
that stretch out their arms
to embrace beach parties,
backyard picnics,
Wrigley Field.

I feel the embrace of summer days
but suddenly they're shorter,
walking away like travelers.
The sun becomes bashful
hiding behind clouds,
slipping quickly behind the city.

Darkness comes early,
sending robins south,
chasing squirrels home,
hiding people under their umbrellas,
behind their scarves,
standing at bus stops.

In Autumn, in Winter
we can't waltz out the door,
dance down the sidewalk
wearing sandals, midriffs,
shorts.  We need to have 
sweaters, coats, shoes in Autumn,
boots in Winter, warm hats.  

I remember time
always rolling through our lives,
never allowing us
to decide the hours we can erase,
the other hours we can save.  


				Lucille Murphy