The law of sabbatical: tasks expand to fill the time allotted them.

***

Here's one of those near perfect David Shapiro poems:

FATHER KNOWS BEST

It is the old show, but the young son can fly.
He sees pink and blue and red umbrellas in the air.
They teach him how to fly.
Of course the family does not see and has resentments.

One day at a snow party he tries to prove he can fly.
But he only leaps a bit and loses the jumping contest.
Then Father realizes son must enclose but a few electrons in his fist
Then son flies high above the family garage and trees, branch by branch.

There are no umbrellas, there are only frosty parachutes,
Little angels who instruct him how to fly.
He must not struggle too much with his hands,
Which having practiced the violin now dog-paddle in air.

High above the invigorated gulf the air walks down to its own road.
And sister jumps up in a dual column of wind.
Inside, Mother serves breakfast; the bluejay gulps at the feeding station.
The family now knows he can fly, but still father knows best.