CHRONOS

The railroad clock in the hall

just the other side of my door

has a pendulum that ticks with

a whisper when you first lay down,

nestling into the blankets and

adjusting the pillow. And it is fine

if sleep comes soon, but if the day

had teeth and gnawed your tendons

raw and the enchiladas burn,

you need to get ready, as you

lay still and quiet, dreaming of

dreams that will not come. Tick.

Eyelids flutter, head turns,

tug the covers. Tick...tick.

Burp… taste of salsa.

Tick… tick… tick

Left side roll, pull the blanket.

Tick… tick… tick… tock…

Wha…? Tick… tick… TOCK!

TICK… TOCK...TICK...TOCK

TICK... TOCK... TICK... TOCK

TICK... TOCK... TICK... TOCK

TICK…

TOCK…

TICK…

TOCK...

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

I have an alarm clock that has a loud, persistent click. Had to get a sound machine. Your poem illustrates nicely how difficult it is being in the range of one of these sleep grabbers.

[Vol]

Thank YOU!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have experienced this so many times I just want to tear that clock off the wall, and go off the rails.
Really cool arrangement of words in this very identifiable piece of writing.
j.

[Vol]

It is a beautiful, antique clock... probably serve well next time I go target shooting...