We measure time with a clock
and distance with a ruler
but nothing would be better
than being an hour closer to you.

I turn the hands back and ignore the ticking
tugging harder each past second
my hands bleeding as my grip tightens
and the ticking slows to a halt

I grow weary and climb through the clock instead
running through the gears and pushing them to turn faster
like a hamster on its wheel, I'm running,
not moving any distance but passing so much time

The sweat fills my mouth and stings my eyes
I know I'm closer because a ringing fills my ears
the faint sound of your voice seeps through the clock--
it's closer now as the gears are vibrating,
I'm shaking at the thought of being close to you,

And tired from the journey--
very tired,
more tired than I should be.

Your voice gets fainter and I start to think I past you,
I ran too far into the past away from you
and my body can't make it any more
The clock over-heats and I collapse,
my body spinning through the gears, crushed
with every passing tick-tick-tick-ti