Today's Lament Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

I left my plot to trespass in tomorrow's garden
Beyond which lay bright future's silver strand
When suddenly a warden touched my shoulder
And hauled me to the court of common sense

I claimed to have the very best intentions
For my own land was sparse and full of weeds
"That's no excuse, " the judge boomed from his high bench
"We will not tolerate the breaking of our laws."

"Your Honor, I had very good intentions.
You see, tomorrow has much better crops than me.
His land is filled with fruit and lovely flowers.
What harm is there to only look and see? "

"Stop, trespasser. Don't waste my time with drivel, "
the judge's voice was deafening and harsh.
"Don't waste my time with tired old excuses.
You probably would tell me many lies."

"But, but, " I stammered, dreading some harsh verdict.
"I was just passing through to reach fair future's strand."
"Oh, " said the judge, "Now you have clinched my verdict.
Your intent was to trespass even more."

"What must I do, " I said, "to lighten my jail sentence? "
"It's simple, " said the judge, now less perturbed.
"I sentence you to five years on your own land.
Plow, till and plant until you're wet with sweat."

"Return to me when this has been completed.
And I will reconsider what to do with you."
"Yes, sir, " I said, for he had all the power.
Now I was doomed to living in today.