A Way of Saying

It was a way of saying
time had stopped, that
life had been put away
nice & neat inside a
special place.

“A sign of the times,”
         They said.
“For the best.”

It was a way of saying
they would, “talk about
it later,” when thoughts
were gathered like so
many nickles rolled into
a sock.

Shiny new nickles saved
for the purchase of penny
candy,

(I like penny candy).

As if saving moments could
explain why time stopped,
that everything would taste
better when procrastination
has its due process with
infinity.

It was a way of saying
  “on Tuesdays, you could
   bring something to read
   to the Temple,”
but no one will be there
to hear,

  “A sign of the times,”
    They said.

but I will come,
  & I will listen,
  & I will bring

   penny candy.