roll a list of statistics about
how much time has run out, to me
and I will write each second to have
ever passed, a love note.

tick, I will miss you,
tock, you are important.
tick, you were the only thing standing--
tock, between us and now it's over.

tick,

tock, you are still important.

tell me that the in-love are never
forgetful and I will answer with a corridor
of now switched-off phone numbers
that have kept me static and dizzy. it isn't
easy to lose track but I'll pull
back every knot out of our string
theory bond to sleep tonight;

you will too.

read every book I have given myself
to in holy matrimony and I will find
every word, page and chapter you consist
of, enough reason
to read you again;
I will always find ways
to love you again.

but sing all seven notes to me, say
no more exist and I will make
my piezo-electric crystals tease
and tremble ultrasound till it is heard
because everything should be heard, even
when I feel small
and hide the things I let
simmer

inside me to make small talk;

I will not feel it then.

dance with me and say, no two left feet
can synchronize and amplify
and I will trip with finesse, make
the breaking sonorous of my cheekbones
elegant and swallow chipped enamel
till you retract your entirely true
statement about my catastrophic fluidity.
I will not show you my hands;
their wave-particle duality only
anchors my will to carry on.

whisper isochronous nothings
to the small of my spine, bend
me into a submissive
contortionist and I will secrete strength
from my practiced immunity till it
is rigid again - until I
am rigid again but do not grieve.
I polish unconditional bed knobs
and door handles for those
left behind for
the minutes you will live for me--
meaning.

ask me for the time and I will tell you,
I have never had any - I am honored
but I never kept it safe - I lost it
to bickering tour bus foreigners
and letting favorite songs complete
their audio tenure and sending
telepathic signals to every
moment that has passed;

tick, thank you.
tock, please come again.
tick, I cannot appreciate you in time--
tock, may we meet again someday.

tick, thank you
for staying.

tock,
thank you,
for staying.