Time

In my mind there's a ticking clock, tick,
dreaming of a time machine, tock,
measuring the waking moods, tick,
waves of ideas and fears, tock.

Every mirror glance reminds me -
we have one chance;
washing away the stains of daily grime
wishing the wrinkles take their time.
The clock continues; the striking bell chimes.

To one side I see myself, frocked, tick,
in a frilly tu-tu-too far, tock,
a gummy grin from ear to ear, tick,
and glittery, jelly sandals to top it off. Tock.

It's empty in this room, mostly.
There's no other being,
no one greater than myself -
but there are bigger memories that burn brighter
reflecting off the glass,
catching light like a new watch.

Even at night there's a glow. Tick.
And as morning breaks, tock,
an old, a new, a present life continues.