The Watch

July 24, 2002

The watch that you gave me
Counts down the time
The heat hangs on everything
And deadens a church bell's chime

I am serenaded by flesh
Of all different hues
A parade of lust
Marching lockstep in twos

The minutes and hours
Make some inaudible sound
Where the future's forgotten
And the past is not found

I look into the unknown
Fifty years from today
Aged, fragile, infirm
I've not much left to say

I'll ponder chances untaken
But regrets — I'll have none
'Cause the watch that you gave me
Will count the time 'til I'm done

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