Hurry

Prompt Master Contest - This poem has eight syllables per line.

Task Prompt: Write a poem in which a single word keeps showing up unexpectedly.

40 Lines

Hurry's the word showing up all
the time unexpectedly. It
drives me crazy. Just when I have
something planned, my plans have to shift.
I have to drop my plans to fit
theirs. It gets to be annoying.
I end up feeling somewhat mad,
Irritated and anxious, I'm
also frustrated to the point
of setting my own boundaries.

Talking about boundaries, I
get terrified. My buttons get
pushed many times over. I try
to stand up for myself, but it
usually gets no results.
I have no value, it turns out.
I end up agreeing when I
don't want to. Hurry, I want to
scream. Hurry, Hurry. That's all I
hear. To heck with it. I give up!

Hurry to the bus stop, the bus
will be here soon. Hurry before
your company arrives; they will
be here shortly. Hurry before
the teapot starts spilling over.
It will boil. Hurry, the kids
ran out the door heading to who
knows where, is a common thing. I
don't have kids, which is good for me.
It's a juggling act for sure.

Timing is of the essence. It
doesn't seem to leave room to make
any mistakes. Getting free time
for myself is hard. When do I
get a break? No worries. I get
it. Now, after all this, I am
taking my stress and burdens to
God. He helps me to stay focused
and relaxed. Even though it takes
time and effort, I get things done.


Written by Anna Marie Carlson
Preferred Author
Thursday, January 22, 2026