Judith Viorst: When Asked If I Thought That I'd Finally Got It Together

I had it together on Sunday.
By Monday at noon it had cracked.

On Tuesday debris

Was descending on me.

And by Wednesday no part was intact.

On Thursday I picked up some pieces.

On Friday I picked up the rest.

By Saturday, late,

It was almost set straight.

And on Sunday the world was impressed

With how well I had got it together.

But spare me the cheers and applause,

For as the world turns

Every sixty-plus learns

That among life's immutable laws

Is one that we're bound to be bound to

Right through to the end of our days:

That although we may get it together,

Together is not how it stays.