I learned the value of punctuality from my dad: He worked at Morse Hardware in Bellingham. He punched a clock and was always at his desk on time.

In the late 1940s, he would give me a ride to Whatcom Junior High School anytime. It was right on his way to work. He would tell me when he was going to the garage to get the car, pull it around to the front door, honk the horn once, give me about three minutes and then leave. If I didn’t appear, it was all shoe leather for me. Here are a few thoughts on the place time has in our lives:

TARDINESS

There is no neutrality

In punctuality—

You’re either on time or you’re not.

And people will mind

Because we’re entwined

And schedules can go to pot.

So, in spite of your brilliance,

Your charm and resilience

And the fact you’re impeccably groomed,

If you are the party

Who always is tardy

Your future is probably doomed.

SPEEDING UP TIME

Can’t wait till the weekends.

Can’t wait till vacations.

Can’t wait till our incomes

Can lift up our stations.

And while we are wishing

The hours away,

Too bad we are dissing

This very fine day.

TIME FLIES

The weeks fly by

And I’ll tell you why—

I’m in a position to know.

My pill minder slots

Are all empty pots

And I filled them just days ago.