First of all, I do not want to be doing this.
Second of all, Percy does not want me
to be doing this.
Hanging over my desk like a besieged person
with a dull pencil and innumerable lists of numbers.
Outside the water is blue, the sky is clear,
the tide rising.
Percy, I say, this has to be done. This is essential.
I'll be finished eventually.
Keep me in your thoughts, he replies.
Just because I can't count to ten doesn't mean
I don't remember yesterday, or anticipate today.
I give you one more hour, then we step out
into the beautiful, money-deaf gift of the world
and run.
**Mary Oliver
