Rooted in Time

The clock ticks.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick.

But my body falls still—

my feet buried

in soil too thick

to escape.

.

Tick tock, tick tock.

My hands tremble;

the air hitches

in my throat.

A chill runs through me.

.

Home is the destination,

but I’m here—

my mind spinning,

my legs giving in.

.

I try to move,

but I remain rooted.

.

Tick tok, tick tok, tick.

I stand frozen,

a statue begging for release

as time quietly rewinds

around me.

.

My eyes wander,

fingers fidget.

Is it supposed to be

this hard to breathe?