
Living Life Poetically: Time and Essence
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Time is of the essence.” The saying is actually legal jargon, originating from contract law. A Time is of the essence clause would appear in an agreement between two parties when something needs to be done in a timely matter and any delay could have negative consequences.
Well, this saying was the inspiration for the poem, “Time and Essence.”
In life, we’re sometimes faced with “Time is of the essence” situations. Things that demand our immediate attention and time–like emergencies or tight deadlines. But if it’s important and not life-threatening, yes, time may be of the essence. However, if it causes us to not make time for ourselves, we may begin to lose our very essence.
Time and Essence

When time is of the essence,
Make time for your essence.
The passions that give you hope,
The endeavors that give you joy.
When time is essential,
Make time for the essentials.
The hopes that make you dream,
The joys that make you soar.
When time comes and goes,
Swift as the river flows,
Without essence is inessential.
And in our tomorrow’s darkness grows.
When time comes and goes,
Swift as the river flows,
Without essence is shattering.
A reason for our woes.
So, when time is of the essence,
Make time for your essence.
The essentials that give you hope.
The essentials that make you dream.
The hopes that give you joy.
The dreams that make you soar.
By E. Ballay
Written May 30th 2020


