Working Overtime
By Paul Wilson

If I only knew how hard it would be
To get these words right
To some it’s easy as one, two, three
For others it may take all night
My mind is working overtime
A thousand words a minute

Second by second we count each minute
This challenge won’t let me be
A challenge worth this overtime
Just to get it right
I may work till three
Or I may work all night

How much coffee I will drink this night
To go along with this excedrine minute
I lost count maybe the pots number three
A masterpiece I want this to be
By gosh I believe I’m getting it right
The caffeine I drank is working overtime

I can’t remember when I had so much fun working overtime
This sestina I will finish this night
Nan will be the judge if it’s wrong or right
After this she to may have an excedrine minute
After this one another from me there may never be
Well maybe two or three

Still trying to get it right as the clock strikes three
What reward will I get for these hours of overtime
These words in my mind won’t let me be
All I have now is a sleepless night
Hold on a little longer just another minute
Please God help me get it right

My mind is wandering this can’t be right
Just a final Tercet lines one two and three
This challenge will be met before the final minute
My reward is near for all my overtime
Maybe I will be able to sleep after all this night
If all these words will let me be

I think I got it right working overtime
The pots of coffee were three I drank this night
With not a minute to spare this sestina I will let be