I sit and stare into familiar face,
it tocks and ticks and talks into my ear.
The rhythm beating steps of futile race
and endless march fills throbbing heart with fear.

The gears turn, grinding out the moments' lives,
their silent echo screaming at each death.
Though each I save within my mind's archives,
still pages rot and fade away as breath.

Upon the hour chimes begin to ring,
a surge of strength returns to mind and heart.
Each tone a promise, future taking wing.
Let bygone days be gone. It's now I start.

Each second spent, each step on useless climb,
is my defiant fight on tides of time.