In his book "Creation," Gore Vidal presents a reflection through the voice of Cyrus Sitema, who expresses a sense of perpetual timing failures. He notes that in every city he visits, he hears about a "golden age" that he just missed, implying a continuous feeling of loss and timing issues. This sentiment suggests a universal nostalgic longing for better times that seem to elude him.

Sitema's experiences reveal a broader human condition where people often feel disconnected from moments of greatness or potential. His quote encapsulates a common struggle: while the world moves forward, individuals may feel left behind, yearning for an era they never truly experienced. This resonates as a poignant commentary on the nature of time and our relation to it.