When I finished my poetry portfolio in two days

threw it together 

wrote the essay in 12 hours,

I forgot about it,

just relieved it was over.

Months later, I was at dinner 

with "cousin"-but-really-"second-cousin" Ivon 

(who calls me his niece).

I told him about the portfolio,

that I got 

'highest marks'.

An 'excellent', even.

He replied,

"you do know that's the 'Bartholomew way' --

to do something at the last minute,

and to do it well."

Good to know it's in my blood.

In terms of procrastination, 

the British seem to have it down.

Everything is on its own schedule.

Some see days as rolling by lazily

but really it is a disregard for imposed importance.

The Scots prefer a slower pace,

something to remind them

it is their time,

no one else's

while the English

simply

refuse

to rush.

It isn't proper.

Funny,

a country with a history of its own pace

houses

the Prime Meridian.