A basket full of time. | Teen Ink

A basket full of time.

February 16, 2010
By chocolateharp SILVER, Plaistow, New Hampshire
chocolateharp SILVER, Plaistow, New Hampshire
8 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost." - Betty Smith (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)


I had a wicker basket
with a dainty little handle,
and lining made of checkered cloth
the color of my cheeks.
I filled my wicker basket up
with secrets and with treasures;
yes, I filled my basket (to the top!)
with minutes, days, and weeks.

I kept those precious moments
for as long as I could hold them.
I kept them for emergencies,
or for a rainy day.
I clutched my pretty basket-
never peeking at its contents-
for I felt much better knowing
they were safely tucked away.

Oh, I kept those cherished moments
for as long as I could hold them,
but soon they grew too heavy,
and my fingers grew so sore!
So, I set my wicker basket down
amid the leaves and flowers;
yes, I set my treasured basket there
upon my bedroom floor.

And I blinked my eyes so slightly that
the moon would hardly notice.
Still, I blinked my eyes and realized that
my hands were much too late.
As I grabbed my little basket,
(with the checkered cotton lining)
all the minutes I’d collected there
went soaring toward my fate.



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This article has 4 comments.


on Aug. 8 2010 at 7:11 am
Still_Waters26 SILVER, Ladysmith, Wisconsin
6 articles 0 photos 88 comments

Favorite Quote:
"We few, we happy few/we band of brothers/For he to-day that sheds his blood with me/Shall be my brother"
-Shakespeare, "Henry V"

All I can say is WOW...very symbolic and beautiful.

on Mar. 1 2010 at 3:44 pm
Sabrinahco GOLD, Jefferson City, Missouri
10 articles 2 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you're not first, you're last"

Wow (: I L O V E D it.

on Feb. 23 2010 at 8:19 pm
NerdGirlVictoria SILVER, Mena, Arkansas
8 articles 7 photos 37 comments

Favorite Quote:
I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.
- Susan B. Anthony

It's Wonderful!

on Feb. 23 2010 at 5:40 pm
SarClark BRONZE, NC, Connecticut
2 articles 0 photos 534 comments
Wow! I loved the descriptiveness and the defined voice in this... it was AH-MAZING in everyway!!

I like your style :) :) luv luv luved it!