In Which I Reflect On A Productive Day

If only I could keep this, ev'ry day,

The change that's brought about by knowing that

Procrastination's nothing but a way

To duck the "twinge of starting": that my flat

And dull insensibility is fake;

That work, when I'm deep in it, is a joy

In which I lose myself, in which I make

A day into a wonder. By what ploy

May I remember this, that once I start

I'm happy, and it isn't toil; that chores

Just sound that way; that once I give my heart

To what I'm doing, nothing ever bores

Or pains me? This, perhaps, is my real task

As this year starts to wear on, if you ask.

In Which I Plan A Techvacation Of Sorts -- But Just A Short One

I have a lot of work that I must do

Ere I resume my day gig three days hence.

I'm taking here a breath; I'll plunge into

The final push, and spare me no expense

In time or labor, now, till this is done.

I know that you know not of what I speak,

Dear readers, and I promise it's not fun

To keep these secrets but for now a meek

Apology is all I have to give.

I'm going dark quite soon, because I suck

At working hard when there's this life I live

Online and in my town that bids me chuck

The nitty gritty and go off and play

As I have learned this last many a day.