Wake up to a screeching clock
, ironically starting the day with an alarm.
Alarm!!
Alarm in the calmest time of day?
Is this foreshadowing of what is to come?
The two-beeps-per-second pace that is about to follow?

Hurry up, late for school , late for work, hurry up!
Always late, always in a hurry , always wishing that
somehow the clock would tire out too...
stop it's consistent ticking!
STOP?
Oh God I just ran over a stop sign?
A stop sign. A traffic cop.
He'll understand? He also has to hurry!

Work, deadlines , meetings and
"Joe ,The Boss wants to see you"?
He wants to see me?
Wants?
What about needs?
I need this done
I need to do it better
I need, more time!!

TIME? Oh God, look where's the time!
The kids need to be fetched! Need.
Yes , they need to. Maybe...
NO! They need to be fetched!

"Daddy what's a lifeline"?
He said with sparkling eyes.
"It's for a project and I need help".
A lifeline is... a lifeline-
life. death. live. dead... -line
A project? A PROJECT!
I have a project!
"The doctor said I'm due for September"
She said with sparkling eyes.
Due?
Deadline? Project? Due?
I NEED MORE TIME!

Hurry up! Hurry up!
This divorce needs to hurry along!
"What happened to you"?
She asked with sparkling eyes.
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Kids, get an education!
Get a job! Move out!
"Where were you"?
They asked with sparkling eyes?

Late for work, late for school , hurry up!
Listen the clock is ticking!
Wait;
Where is the ticking?
What's this pain in my chest?
The clock is ticking...
My clock stopped.

Hurry up!
Late for school, late for work...
Shut up! You were late for life.
You were chasing time and catching none.
All people live but not all are living!
Time also gives, but only to the giving.
Stop! Slow down!
To see the difference between sparkling eyes
and hurt, when a loved one cries.
Stop! Slow down...
Breath and let your heart beat ;
-be  the only tick
you chase.