Time Away

2021 Quill Winner for Best Romance/Love Genre

For Mark - whenever we are apart

tic
         toc
tic

the analog clock marks the seconds
as I count the minutes until you return

         toc
tic
         toc

minutes turn into hours
and my imagination fuels my worry

tic - thump
         toc - thump
tic - thump

the clock and my heartbeat
loud reminders of the fleeing time

         toc - thump
tic - thump
         toc - thump

then, you are there,
wrapping your arms around me

tic
                   thump
         toc
                   thump

and once again,
time stands still

26 lines