Learn to Enjoy Your ‘Nows’

Days whizz by, then weeks.

Years accumulate.

I often mistake

yesterday for last week

last week for last month

and a couple years back,

for five or ten.

An older coworker

some twenty years ago,

gave me a tight hug

my last day on the job,

a “You’re Special” mug,

her warmest smile, and advice:

 “Enjoy this day while you can,”

she charged. “Don't wish away your life

yearning for the weekend.

Enjoy your ‘nows!’"

© 2016  Denise C. Buschmann

Published in Australia Times Poetry Magazine, February 2017
https://www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/poetry/issue/503/#1