Deadlines

Death to deadlines. I don’t want

to look too far ahead and watch

the days between now and then

fade away. I don’t want to rush.

I met the deadline. Good for me.

What’s next? Another Deadline?

Will I feel more accomplished

when I met this one? When will

I stop chasing the dragon?

Which deadline is the finish line?

The faster I run, the faster it flies.

I can’t help but look around;

all I see are others just like me

chasing the same dragon.

They aren’t getting any closer

than I am. What’s the point

of spending finite time and energy

chasing a life that is not meant

for me? It can’t be too late for me

to stop and catch my breath

before my own vanity takes

whatever integrity I have left.

We need to let it be. I’m sure these

dragons are tired of entranced

humans running after them.

I believe every dragon would like

to be left alone and live in peace.

Give it a break. Dragons we chase

and Deadlines we meet bruise

our hands and scar our feet.

Deadlines are like hills – hills

waiting to be climbed, but once

we reach the top, we have to

descend back to the bottom –

the same even ground that we

started on. There’s nothing wrong

with climbing hills, but ask yourself

this: is the hill you are climbing

one you are willing to die on?

There will always be another hill

to climb, another Deadline to meet,

and another dragon to chase.

When will it end? I guess only you

know the answer to that question.

Take your time to answer. I won’t

give you another deadline to meet.

Instead, take this; here is a lifeline;

death to all deadlines. Slow down.

Time cannot be wasted, but it can

be spent, so spend your time any

way you see fit. It won’t be the end

of the world if you choose to live

and if the next deadline is missed.