Clock
Linda Pastan

Sometimes it really upsets me—
the way the clock’s hands keep moving,

even when I’m just sitting here
not doing anything at all,

not even thinking about anything
except, right now, about that clock

and how it can’t keep its hands still.
Even in the dark I picture it, and all

its brother and sister clocks and watches,
even sundials, all those compulsive timepieces

whose only purpose seems to be
to hurry me out of this world.

“Clock” by Linda Pastan from Traveling Light. © Norton, 2010.