How I Measure Up

How I Measure Up

I have measured quality of life in teacups

I have measured my education with a ruler

I measured the moon with my thumb

I measure hurry and boredom with a clock

Human kindness I weigh in a thimble

Money I do not number but arrange by author like fiction

The time between sunrise and sunset I measure

By how much I can jam in or leave out

Distance I measure in hours and days

We have a number for measuring the mind

When the sun is highest, that is not noon

All clocks bow to the satellite

Each day I consecrate to some obscure god or occult planet

Each year insert two Popes between six and seven

Except February which has 28.

Pick a new starting date and number backwards from there.

I am still using a calendar from 1491 as flat as the Earth once was

I measure years in waiting

Streets in stop lights

I draw straight lines on maps

I am so sure I am right.