{"id":9618,"date":"2018-03-26T10:26:27","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T14:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/?page_id=9618"},"modified":"2018-03-26T13:24:07","modified_gmt":"2018-03-26T17:24:07","slug":"last-word-of-the-essence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2018-2\/winter-2018\/last-word-of-the-essence\/","title":{"rendered":"LAST WORD: Of the Essence"},"content":{"rendered":"

As winter turns to spring, North Carolina’s coastal region offers many locations with ideal settings to reflect on time. They include, from left to right: Fort Macon Sate Park; waters in and near Elizabeth City; the Fort Fisher area; and Carolina Beach State Park. First, third and fourth photos courtesy of N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Second photo courtesy of Liza Franco.<\/em><\/p>\n

By CYNTHIA M. SHARPE<\/h3>\n

The new year gives Cynthia M. Sharpe, a spoken-word artist based in Raleigh, the opportunity to reflect and look ahead. A native of Elizabeth City, she is\u00a0a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she served as a North Carolina Sea Grant communications intern.<\/em><\/p>\n

Forgive me Time
\nFor I have sinned.<\/p>\n

Thinking I have plenty of you,
\nI have wasted you,
\nWhen you deserved to be used wisely.<\/p>\n

I have not loved when the opportunity to love presented itself,
\nKissed when a kiss would have made a moment so much sweeter,
\nLaughed when a chuckle wasn\u2019t enough,
\nSmiled as often as I could have,
\nSpoken as often as I should have,
\nOr forgiven when I had the chance.<\/p>\n

Forgive me…<\/p>\n

I have squandered
\nCountless hours with timidity,
\nExchanged good times for wallowing in sorrow,
\nAnd let blessings pass for lack of motivation.
\nFORGIVE ME.
\nYou have given too much of yourself
\nFor me not to take advantage.
\nI have yet to make the difference I was placed here for.
\nI HAVE FAILED YOU.
\nYou,
\nWho learned to fly without wings
\nYou,
\nWho passes away but meets no demise
\nYou,
\nWho laughs at the phrase, \u201c\u2018til the end of time\u201d
\nAnd nods in agreement with \u201conly time will tell\u201d…
\nHealer of wounds,
\nMender of hearts,
\nYou who like a strong, independent woman, waits for no man.
\nTIME.<\/p>\n

I want to make memories with you…
\nFast forward the worst days,
\nSlow down moments I may be quick to forget,
\nFreeze the moments I should cherish forever,
\nAnd replay on repeat the best times of our lives.<\/p>\n

Please Time,
\nForgive me.
\nFor I have not forgiven when I had the chance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As winter turns to spring, North Carolina’s coastal region offers many locations with ideal settings to reflect on time. They include, from left to right: Fort Macon Sate Park; waters in and near Elizabeth City;…<\/p>\n

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