To My Valentine, the Deadline

My dearest darling Deadline,

you keep my focus clear

by pestering my conscience as

submission time draws near.

I never have to wonder what

I’m gonna do today,

for each idea that sounds like fun

must needs be thrust away.

“Oh, no you don’t!” you counsel,

“You cannot run around.

You’ve got to get that blog post done;

it’s time to buckle down.”

I took a call this morning;

my friend was free for lunch.

You stopped that plan before its start,

“No time! We’re in a crunch!”

I thrill to hear your nagging,

it leaves me overjoyed.

Although it sucks to be stuck home,

at least I’m still employed.

You’re shrill and you’re annoying;

you fill my mind with shame.

But since you keep me on my toes,

I love you just the same.

And so, beloved Deadline,

to you I’ve penned this ode.

I could be having fun right now,

but you’re my constant goad.

When she's not dealing with deadlines, Audrey Lintner loves to bake, especially if the recipe includes lots of chocolate. She runs the recently-launched ALTO Editing Services, and is on a mission to someday knit up her yarn stash.