The Clock

Tick

the kettle boils

the toast goes cold

you blink.

your coffee?

stale.

a child laughs

somewhere down the hall

you miss it.

(you were scrolling...

again.)

Tock

your mother calls.

you silence the ring.

Later...

there’s always

tomorrow.

(right?)

...

until

there

isn’t.

Tick

birthday candles flicker

like flares

on a sinking ship.

everyone’s singing;

but you’re counting,

years wasted,

on being soft

for people

who only devour.

Tock

a wrinkle sets up shop

beside your eye,

a quiet tenant.

no deposit.

just rent paid in lost sleep

and comparison.

Tick

you fall in love,

like a leaf

into fire.

you wanted to be

slow.

careful.

but time

doesn’t

take

reservations.

Tock

the mirror forgets your name.

your reflection stutters.

who

are

you

when you’re not performing

for someone

else?

tick

tick

tick

you beg the moon

for an extension.

but even she

waxes.

and

wanes.

and disappears.

tock

tock

tock

You wake.

It’s

too early

or

too

late.

you can’t tell

anymore.

Tick

the clock

laughs.

and laughs.

and laughs.

Participant's Poems