The Never-Dos…
(in the style of Shel Silverstein)
I’ve got a list of Never-Dos,
It’s longer than my legs and shoes.
I’ll totally start them… someday soon,
Or maybe next year… or by June.
I’ll write a card to dear Aunt May,
(I’ve been “about to” since last May.)
I’ll clean the closet, plant some peas,
I’ll bake a cake for Mr. Lees—
But every time I plan to start,
A nap attacks my busy heart.
I’ll learn guitar and master chess,
Netflix got me that day, I confess.
I’ll call my grandma, just to say,
“I love you, how’s your day today?”
But the phone is far, and my couch is near,
And suddenly—poof!—it’s been a year.
I’ll tell my friends how much I care,
But I just sit and… think… and stare.
I’ll train for marathons, write a play,
I’ll invent a holiday called “Stay-in-Bed Day.”
I’ll save the whales, recycle more,
(Actually doing things can be such a chore…)
The Never-Dos all pile and stack,
Whispering softly, “We’ll be back…”
They line my room like dusty shoes,
Those quiet ghosts, those Never-Dos.
And sometimes, late, when night feels deep,
They dance around while I should sleep.
Tsk-tsk-tsk, they wag their fingers
Leaving me with guilt that lingers.
But I just shrug and grin and say,
“I’ll do you all… another day.”
Then close my eyes and dream, it’s true—
Of all the things I’ll Never Do.