Calico Frost

I-

I     wish-

I wish         I-

I wish I             was-

The clock is broken

It stopped ticking a long time ago

stopped counting how much time has passed.

It's an old grandfather clock, oak wood, and sculpted to perfection

carefully crafted by hands

that belonged to men

leaves let go

each one a page ripped out of summer's book

each one a memory that hasn't been remembered since 1969

each one a fragment of what was 

why care? they say.

Can I-

intrude into your fantasy?

Can I tell you a shocking truth?

Can I become everything you hate

so that I can love myself?

Can I dream of a job with impactful meaning

am I free

will I ever be

is the meaning in the trees

will they ever be pleased 

as I fall to my knees

does someone hear my screams

when I join everyone leaves

I wish I could just breath