What They Said

Wait, they said, this is not the time.
The market is fluctuating badly
and the crops are not assured.
Wait, they said, love is a luxury
and marriage a responsibility.
What resources do you have
to support your decision?
They said, this is not the time.

When I was young and full of trouble
that is what they said, wait,
the international atmosphere is stormy,
there are signs of a break in relations.
This is not the time, they said.

But the flames of my youth
as my youth burned away
warmed my heart for the truth
that grows in here today.

So . . .
I married the girl, bought the farm, had the kids.
I have been both sad and happy but not sorry.

    Original Citation
    A Country Man. Cumberland, IA: Pterodactyl Press. 1993. 13.
    Word Count
    123
    Original Publication
    Date Published
    1993
    Complete Poems
    484
    Theme(s)
    First Line
    Wait, they said, this is not the time.
    Poetic Form
    open
    Twitter Quote
    Wait, they said, love is a luxury / and marriage a responsibility.