All Minutes Are Not Equal — By David Kragnes

I’m sitting at a quilt shop
   Waiting for my wife.
I don’t think I’ve been here yet
   For more than half my life.

This one seems a little longer
   Than the stop we made before.
But I’m quite sure it’s only been
   One or two days more.

It’s fun to see the seasons change,
   To watch the flowers grow.
Soon the pumpkins will come down,
   Then Christmas lights will glow.

But I sit here patiently
   As she fingers every swatch.
It’s good I brought along an extra
   Battery for my watch.

I brought along some bookwork.                                     
   I finished up my tax.
I’ll still make the deadline
   If I send it off by fax.

I’m sure there is new merchandise
   She has never seen before.
Even though to me it looks
   Like every other store.

I know more things than shopping
   Come into the mix.
It’s more than checking every bolt
   To get a cotton fix.

She needs to meet with other gals
   Who share the same affliction.
Except that this group therapy
   Helps promote addiction.

Here she comes with half a bolt
   And an extra quarter,
A rotary cutter, yellow thread,
   Some piping for a border.

I help her load her packages,
   I ask if she had fun.
I say that we should head for home
   If she is sure that she is done.

“Just because it’s on the way
   Let’s hit the John Deere store.
I know that it will only take
   A couple minutes more.”