The Procrastinators

While walking through the only the second circle of the forsaken place
(a)
I found my attention to be drawn to a very odd sight.
(b)
I turned to Virgil to ask why there was such an assortment of people in what appeared to be a waiting room.
(c)

He turned to me and shook his head, then pointed to his right.
(b)
Above there was a sign that said "train to heaven" and I asked,"if they were going why they have this doom."
(c)
Virgil looked at me, expecting me to understand. When I didn't his mouth went tight.
(b)

He sighed and said to me that this place is of the procrastinator's tomb.
(c)
"Tomb?" I asked. But the sign says that they are to leave.
(d)
"No," replied my guide, getting increasingly more frustrated, "they are stuck here as a child in the womb."
(c)

As I grew increasing curious, my guide told me that there was no need to grieve.
(d)
In life these people put of to another time so as not to do their work,
(e)
so now in death they are to wait as they have made others, now they sit around while their chest's heave.
(d)

"Are they ever to move on to heaven as the sign says or is their vessel blocked by some odd quirk?"
(e)
"No," answered my guide, again, "there is a delay."
(f)
"These wretches are bound to stay in this room.They only have this area to lurk."
(e)

I was confused and fond nothing that I could say.
(f)
Then I asked were they to sit here and that is all, or is there something for them to do?
(g)
Virgil explained then that these people told others that they would have what the other desired the next day,
(f)

But as time went on they only made excuses, so they now have that to rue.
(g)
Their ship will never come. They destiny is to merely just wait.
(h)
The people periodically looked up at the sign which flashed a word in bright royal blue.
(g)

"DELAYED", and as the souls of the procrastinators saw that the ship was once again late
(h)
they tore at their hair and fists and pounded each head in a fit of rage.
(i)
"This place in Hell," my guide shared with me, "is my least favorite state."
(h)

"There are so many people who are forced to stand like a dog trapped in a cage,
(i)
and if they so desired in life, this punishment would be easy to escape,
(j)
for all one has to do is be on time, respect a deadline, and arrive on time to the stage."
(i)

I thought on this for a time and agreed with the punishment of this shape,
(j)
for it seemed to be reasonable to torture these felons with what torment they had used on others.
(k)
So, I then turned to my companion and we left with the swish from our cape.
(j)

Procrastinating is a sin that I very much detest, but is one that I have found myself to be at fault for. I have always hated when I ask somebody for a favor and they agree to a certain deadline, but then force me to wait for them after they had promised a certain time. So, I put procrastinators in a sort of loading station where they are told they will be allowed to leave Hell, but the ship is procrastinating and taking its time in order to get to the platform. This forces the sinners to experience the exact feelings that they have forced other people to have.

Zack Papianni, Period 6