Spending Light

We spend it all
every day
whether we intend it
or not. Hoarding is
Impossible. Like coins,
Hours wash through us
and are gone. The last
of autumn’s warmth
passed while I was in waiting
rooms and hospital gift shops,
or stirring soup in the kitchen
or talking on the phone.
Gone is gone. But
that hour I hurried outdoors
while soup simmered
and caught the last of the light?
That was a good hour.