A little while
What is "a little while"? My mother used to say that As we waited for pancakes on Saturday morning. My father—"it’ll only take a little while To rake the leaves in the yard." Now my turn, as I look away, check twitter, and mumble, "Son, in a little while We’re gonna leave the playground And go home to do homework." Are we the only ones that speak like this? Do swifts tell their hungry young, "I’ll be back in a little while!" "That is," they ponder to themselves as they leave Their nest in the chimney, "if I’m not eaten by a hobby." I know that some animals keep track of time— "I’ll be out after a little while," says the bear to the woods As she enters her hibernating cave. I think if we’re honest "a while" is only "a little" When considered from after "the while." And who can say "a while" honestly anyway? So it is sheer mercy to promise an end to "a while" Or else we might never believe that the Pancakes are sure to be hot and ready On Saturday morning.
From Burning in Babylon