Waste Not Want Not
by Elizabeth Challinor
We seize the moment
Before the light turns
Striding boldly across the road
In defiance of approaching cars
The little figure turns green
Beckoning us to the other side
We arrive
Feet confident on the pavement
Satisfaction
An automatic reaction
A few seconds ahead of the game
Then we procrastinate
Complain
Take pleasure
In stolen moments of leisure
And get on with the task
Check emails
Write in diaries
Make phone calls
Think and plan ahead
With anticipation and dread
And get on with the task
A fleeting memory interrupts
Bringing joy or pain
We push it away
And get on with the task
Until we find ourselves
At the traffic lights once more
Waiting to seize those extra seconds again
Until one day
A little voice inside
Whispers what difference does it make?
None we reply
But that's not the point
As we defy approaching cars
Refusing to feel restrained
