Zero Sum

thinking back on what I've tasted
perfect days and others wasted
too oft' believed the common lie
that there's a bottomless supply

today's a day that I will live
twenty four hours I will give
two thirds awake and one third slumber
subtract one from the finite number

on crummy days, average, or stunning
all the time the meter running
one less day to work or play
to read a book or stop to say
I love you to a one so dear
to pray or laugh or shed a tear
to share a dream
or calm a fear

would that I could always say
in dark of night at end of day
I did all within my power
to make the most of every hour