The Temporal Experience in "Timers" by Victoria Spires

Timers

Understand this. It is an error to think that 1

One need obviates another. Picture the parts

Of yourself as a row of egg timers: differing

Amounts of sand are left, your job is to watch, but

Realize, 5

You cannot watch them all. Some

Will fall,

Regardless of your attending to them, or not, 10

Some demand more. This one, which

Happens to contain some deep, essential

Grain of you, it scales

The same fascination with down as the rest -

Watch for a time, observe how quickly or

15

Slowly,

You

Run out

Is it possible to know, 20

The point at which more becomes less?

The poem "Timers," by Victoria Spires presents a thought-provoking analogy likening aspects of the self to a row of egg timers. While the poem could be interpreted as an exploration of time and self-awareness, there's an underlying theme of existential questioning and the elusive nature of understanding oneself. "Timers" is ultimately about balancing the many needs and goals of a person's life, and not losing track in the chaos of juggling tasks of varied importance. In the poem, spires uses sand timers as oppose to conventional wind up timers, as inclusion of the visualization of falling sand aligns with the temporal theme. Through these elements, "Timers" is a poem about the temporal experience of a person dealing with the multiplicity of their existence.

The analogy of egg timers suggests a finite aspect to each part of the self, with the sand representing time or vitality. Spires urges the reader to understand that having a focus or priority in one aspect of life does not negate the importance of others. This concept challenges the notion of prioritization and balance, highlighting the complexity of managing multiple aspects of one's identity or responsibilities. The imagery of timers "falling" regardless of attention underscores the inevitability of change and the passage of time. Some timers demand more attention or energy, symbolizing the varying degrees of significance or urgency in different areas of life. The notion that a timer containing a "deep, essential / Grain of you"(line 12) can still be subject to the same fate as the others emphasizes the vulnerability and fragility of even the most imporant aspects of a person's life, or their most intimate goals. The poem invites readers to accept the loss of these too, as their fate is part of the same natural process. As the speaker contemplates the passage of time, they pose a profound question: "Is it possible to know, / The point at which more becomes less?"(line 20) This question delves into the paradox of existence, where the pursuit of fulfillment or meaning may inadvertently lead to depletion or loss. It prompts reflection on the nature of desire, fulfillment, and the ever-shifting balance between them.

"Timers," by Victoria Spires offers a meditation on the complexities of self-awareness, time, and existential uncertainty. Through the imagery of egg timers and the contemplation of life's finite nature, the poem invites readers to ponder the intricacies of existence and the pursuit of understanding oneself in the face of inevitable change. By acknowledging the limitations of attention and the inevitability of some timers falling regardless of our efforts, the poem encourages acceptance and introspection. Ultimately, "Timers" serves as a reminder to embrace the transient nature of life while striving to find balance and meaning amidst its temporal constraints.