He had a year to do it in
So brushed the thought away:
A chap with half his energy
Might do it in a day.
A year! Twas too ridiculous,
As everyone should find;
However, he would get it done
And have it off his mind.

But not today. A few months hence 
would suit him better still:
Meanwhile, a far less irksome job
Might occupy his skill.
He would not let the matter pass
Entirely from him, No;
And doubtless he might take it up
In, say, a month or so.

He had six months to do it in!
For six long months had flown;
Well, why should that alarm a chap
With talents like his own?
The job, whence once embarked upon,
Would soon be rattled through;
However, he would think of it,
In, say, a week or two.

He had three months to do it in!
Oh brother! was his cry;
"The thing hangs on me like a weight,
Each day that passes by.
Lets see: three months? Oh, thats enough,
But just to clear the doubt,
I'll make arrangements for a start
Before the month is out."

He had _one week_ to do it in!
And care was in his glance:
Its hard, he cried, that flight of time,
Wont give a chap a chance!
He still delayed; the swift week passed,
As weeks will ever run,
And though a year was given him,
The task is still undone.

John Lea -1915