The Simile of Life

My mother gave me some advice
When I was ruddy, young and nice,
And I will do my best to say
To you the things she said that day.

"My son," she said, "please do come here.
"I've something quite important, dear.
"Please do your best to try to hear.

"For time is short,
And life is brief
Like colors in the autumn leaf,
Like cool ice melting in the sun,
Like snags upon a nylon run,
Like grade-school children having fun,
Like games and contests you have won,
Like homework you know must be done,
Like ham between a French-bread bun,
Like bullets in a gangster's gun,
Like elephants that weigh a ton,
Like ray-guns that are set for stun..."

She stopped here ‘cause I had to sneeze,
And I said, "Mother, will you please
Bring this story to a close?
"I really have to blow my nose!"

But she looked quite amazed at me,
And shouted in a gentle plea,
"That's what I've tried to make you see.

"That time is quick,
And life is fast
Like autographs upon a cast,
Like eating food and getting sick,
Like chewing on an ice cream stick,
Like blowing out a candle wick,
Like blood from off a cut you lick,
Like denting things with just a kick,
Like hens who'll never have a chick,
Like strings on banjos that you pick,
Like chocolate shakes so sweet and thick,
Like prostitutes that turn a trick,
Like broken clocks that never tick..."

 Just then I sneezed a second time,
But understood her tale of thyme.
For all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be.
So everything we hear and taste
Should not be done in rush or haste,
And suddenly my second sneeze
Had meaning with the best of these.