Self Portrait Anthology May 2014 | Page 12

"Sloth"

Theodore Roethke

10

In moving-slow he has no Peer.

You ask him something in his Ear,

He thinks about it for a Year;

And, then, before he says a Word

There, upside down (unlike a Bird),

He will assume that you have Heard--

A most Ex-as-per-at-ing Lug.

But should you call his manner Smug,

He'll sigh and give his Branch a Hug;

Then off again to Sleep he goes,

Still swaying gently by his Toes,

And you just know he knows he knows.

I’m not a very fast-paced when it comes to many things. Professional procrastinator is a good way to describe myself, just as the sloth. I am not that way all the time though, but a lot of times it feels good to just stop and “give [my] branch a hug.” A terrible habit to have of course, to bad I keep putting off to stop putting things off.