armistice

the clock should stop

as soon as you look at what time it is
and overreact, and suddenly rush
to finish all things - you did the right thing!
You decided to stop, and start getting ready for

whatever
you're late

to get ready to do.
But next thing you know,
you're still finishing up -

it's a half hour past, and then ten minutes more

from the moment you looked at the clock
and realized you'd lapsed,

and you started,
so furiously to catch

up.

The clock should just stop
for that. It's a virtuous act

in the middle, to quit

of anything soft - and to rush

to complete

what you're trying to do,
is the hardest part -

it's the thought, cut off
for the sake of the thing,
for the sake of these picked,

appointed times

rushing down at you
like the devil's tines
in a pitchfork poised

at a beating heart,
made for suffering.

The clock should just stop
for the hardest part,
and let us clear decks

and breathe a piece,
and get ready for what

we said we'd do. And
who we said we'd be.