Tick Tock Life's Clock

Thoughts on time, society, death and life.

Voices, memories, echo in my mind

Life choices, running out of time

Each tiny grain of golden sand slips

Through the glass that hours slowly drip

 

Time, constructed by man

A measure that passes, damned

A measure of minutes constructed by seconds

A measure of life until death beckons

 

Time, a marked measure of weeks

Monday through Sunday continually creeps

One of the only constants in this crazy world

Imagine, without it, life would unfurl

 

There would be no schedules or time slots to meet

No alarm clocks to disturb peaceful tranquility of sleep

No deadlines, no dinnertime or bedtimes to adhere

Time won’t run out, not a reason to fear

 

Time can’t be bought, no money can afford

The precious memories that time can award

Once it has gone, there’s no getting it back

You can’t borrow from another or steal and highjack

 

Time, forever gone when it’s passed

Live every moment as if it’s your last

Work hard 9 to 9 just to pay off your debt

No time for this nor that, no I can’t do that yet

 

Rush, gush, run the race, can’t slow down

Push, fast, run ourselves into ground

No time to smell the springtime or feel the summer sun

No time to enjoy the moment, no time for fun

 

Until time shocks, frozen with fear

Until time says your death is near

Time’s value is realized, priorities highlighted

Life has found meaning, senses are ignited

 

Time isn’t limitless, it surely can’t be tamed

Once a minute has gone it can never be reclaimed

Live and love with all your heart, never waste your time

For you don’t know what I would do, to swap yours with mine

 

Cancer has taught me to slow down and cherish it all

I never know how long it’ll be until my final fall

When I leave, my time is up, but it will still tick tock on

Seconds, minutes, days and weeks, soon will all be gone

 

Precious life, so fragile, time ages all that live

Make the most of what you have, time does not forgive

Tell the ones who mean the most how much you love them now

Love, live and it do it well, as much as time allows

Author's Note

A comment on how a busy society needs to pause and enjoy life and how time is valuable once you realize how close time is to running out. I was thinking about cancer and death while writing this, it was supposed to be an emotional rant but then somehow ended up more as a comment on time. I hope you like it nonetheless. I know it doesn't flow too well, might end up editing it at some stage if I decide I like it enough haha. All reviews are welcome.

Reviews

[Yellow Butterfly]

You have written a wonderful and powerful thought provoking piece which would have any reader reading this thinking deeply about their own time on this earth. Your perception on the Universe and the world as we know it has been captured brilliantly in this amazing write. Allowing the reader to question this mysterious entity that we know as 'Time'. Each stanza taking us through the cycle of life magnifies for me just how precious 'life really is.

There is something mystical and mysterious about 'Time' for sure..and that also goes for this excellent piece of poetry...

You have also written.. a 'timeless' piece...

Enjoyed very much. :o)

[DJ]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for pausing on my page, I know how valuable time is so I appreciate taking some of yours. Your words humble me, I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece. I was unsure if it was any good.

[Yellow Butterfly]

This is why poetry is so great...we get caught up in our own world allowing our ink to flow freely from and write what is on our minds and in our hearts. I enjoy each and every piece of poetry I read on WC and am amazed by all the wonderfully gifted poets on here... you included. :o)

[DJ]

Thank you so much! Yes you are right, poetry is amazing for that. I too enjoy others work, there is an incredible amount of talent in WC and beautiful, kind people. You included :)

[Me]

Your words give us much to think about...a touching thought provoking and rather uplifting read :) x

[DJ]

Thank you my friend, glad you liked it. My gf read this and said "I like your other stuff this makes you sound old" hahaha apparently I'm a 28 year old that sounded 70 :) But I did enjoy writing it.

[Me]

28? wow I also assumed you were older...life sucks, your too young to be ill :(

[DJ]

A lot of people assume I am older... I have an old soul because of my past I had to grow up way to fast. Yes, I am, but it's okay, I can beat it!!!

[Me]

I have no doubt you will hun x

[Desert Knave]

This is brilliant, and for me, very timely and topical. For some reason I feel like Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years" would be the perfect accompaniment to it. Kudos. ~Jim

[DJ]

Thank you so much for the review and for taking the time to read my friend, Cairo.

[Traci]

A deep honest write that will resonate with many readers for different purposes. Knowing you I know the depth of honesty and emotion portrayed in each word, and for that I always admire your strength and courage. No matter our situation, time is the most precious of all gifts. We must spend it wisely because eventually it does run out. We do tend to get so busy in our day to day lives, neglecting those we love, not taking chances, nor enjoying the little things in life. This poem brings everything back into perspective as you are one who truly knows how to pause and enjoy life to the fullest.

"Life has found meaning, senses are ignited

Time isn’t limitless, it surely can’t be tamed
Once a minute has gone it can never be reclaimed
Live and love with all your heart, never waste your time
For you don’t know what I would do, to swap yours with mine"

Very powerful words which sums of the entire write. Life is precious and so are you my friend. Stay strong! Much love to you always.

[DJ]

Traci, you are so sweet. Thank you so much for your review and words of kindness my friend. You humble me with them. Time is certainly one of the most precious gifts life gives us. The problem is so many people don't think that way and end up wasting precious time, although it is theirs to waste, when faced with death your perceptions change. Life is re-invented. Thank you again for your beautiful words my friend. I hope you are well :)

[Traci]

Always a pleasure to read your words, my dear friend. Though life is a struggle with your diagnosis your beautiful spirit vibrantly shines through your words, always inspiring, teaching, and sharing.

[DJ]

Thank you so much Traci, your words lift my spirits :)

[kera moondust]

Time is a gift and I have taken advantage of mine... Life is more finite then we admit, it's an unfortunate truth, but this poem holds a beautiful lesson many people would benefit from.

[DJ]

Thank you so much my friend. It certainly is more finite. I used to be so busy all the time, rushing there, working hard, always push push push, I forgot the beauty of life. I forgot how to live, I was purely existing. Isn't it weird how being sick can sometimes make you more alive...

[kera moondust]

Anyone whose faced death can appreciate life far better then those who haven't. I have never faced death, but I try to remind myself that life is precious.

[DJ]

That's true. Glad to hear it, life is very precious :)