Analyzing Time

I tell the students in my class
to sit quiet for one minute.
They laugh; I tell them
it is harder than they think.
More giggles, a few bravado jeers,
little indifference when I dare them.

I set the timer on my desk. 1:00
and seconds tick off in metronome
precision. At 15 seconds in, a few
furtive whispers, some shushing
and quiet for less than 10 seconds.
More whispers, less shushing,
longer to quiet the room.

I say nothing. At halfway,
the room sounds like a row
of confessionals filled with
teenagers after prom weekend.
At 45 seconds, the chats are louder,
more frequent and does not abate
at the honor student’s shushing.

When the bell rings at 60 seconds,
a collective sigh of relief plays tag
with everyone in the room, including
me. This theory of time is hard
to teach, harder to learn, and yet
it amazes me every time.

After dinner at home, I sit down
to check my email and promise
myself only 15 minutes on Facebook.
Two hours later, I log off, email
still unchecked, my brain drained
of confidence that I am qualified
to teach on the subject of time.

~ J R Turek
June 26, 2021 Hour 7