The Second Hand

[Cadaverous Pallor]

commitments
relationships
interactions
times dates places names
remember
decide
take it on
think it through
make the call
show up with a bottle of wine, a business card, and good conversation

Have a plan
make it work
mop the floor
call that friend
see the premiere
buy a new hat
hit the gym
cancel the appointment

offer help
follow through
jot it down
buy a calendar
upload music
download video
investigate cell service
did you get dinner?

watch a rental
check the score
view an ad
set the Tivo
link to website
forward email
chat a moment
cya later

When's the party?
Where's it at?
Who's invited?
What's to bring?
Shall I call?
How to dress?
When to leave?
Who will drive?

The clock's second hand sweeps
no ticks, just flow
stop and stare at it running
stop and stare and lose moments

grab onto a still object
watch the life drain steadily
scream, scream at the mechanic messenger
design is too honest for human eyes

still and witness to the second hand
feeling the planet spin, lives end and begin and run
madness creeps in, this madness says

I want to get off