One of the most prolific poets at WorkInWords is working on a poem for our 'Other Words' section and is looking for help. The poem is called 'Buying Time'.
Loot is currently content with the first section but has two possible drafts for the second. He is seeking your contribution to the content, form, or performance of the work. He is content for you to (re)shape the meaning and experience of the poem. Below the first is followed by the second section, first option and then second section, second option. You are invited to (re)shape one of these options or to draft your own second half. Naturally, if you want to reflect back on the draft of the first section then that's fine too.
Buying Time
First section
So I discovered there’s a time bank, where you can buy some time.
It’s all been legalised because time hoarding was becoming a crime.
Interestingly this isn’t just future eons, but any time I have lived.
All concepts of past and present gone, I need never to be outlived.
The pricing structure is a bit tricky, but hey, I thought I have a go.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be living the time or watching it, like a show.
But the bank said it’s a complete relive and it’s added to your life.
If you’re going to mess around, take out insurance, to cover strife.
The issue is, the further back you go, the more you have to pay.
From a point in time it’s just pro-rata, so I thought I’d buy a day.
Second section, first option
So then I got thinking, well when and why, what are my motives?
What am I setting out to achieve, what’s my ultimate objective?
Do I want to change what happened or just relive the best of me?
Do I want see what I could have been or just relive what I will be?
I made my choice, I paid my premium, I experienced and I learned.
Too scared to change, I lived again, the day for which I most yearned.
It was the safer bet and the insurance premium was relatively cheap.
Now I’ve got two memories, of the same day, to dream of as I sleep.
But they are different, the old one is rose tinted, the new, much darker.
The old one is nicely hazy but in the new one, the angles are far sharper.
I suppose this is a tale of woe, as I used to yearn to be there again.
Now having been there, I know, that I in future, I must simply refrain.
I thought I get extra time, double the joy and a panoramic display.
But I paid, I’ve relived, I re-remembered and now I’ve lost a day.
Second section, second option
I didn’t want to just relive, I wanted to change what was bad.
I wanted to make light of some dark experiences I felt I’d had.
I wanted to change something I pulled away from and regretted.
I wanted to indulge myself, be completely experience unfettered.
I paid a vast insurance premium and completely sexed the day up.
I indulged, I abused, without consequence, from life’s cup, I did sup.
I suppose this is a tale of woe, as I yearned to change my actions.
Now having been there, I know, the true cost of that impaction.
My insurance paid out, my people are safe, I cared, after all is said.
I didn’t read the small print, it’s hard to feel good, when I am dead.
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