TICK. TICK. TOCK.

 Tick tick tick...

A drunken worker laughingly claims that he's ok
as he drives his machine into a ditch.
Dismounts and topples over into the muck.
Nobody recorded it. It won't go viral.

Tick tock tick.

A mother walks a pram,
the holes in her soles are seen.
The baby squalls and she heeds not,
Her mind is on the money track.

Tick tock tick...
Tick tock tick.

Leaves are unfurling all around.
Birds are nesting.
Animals breed.
The greening ground is slick with rain.

Tick tick tick

A woman on a treadmill feels pain,
Chest, neck, jaw.
Wonders if the heart is attacking.
Decides it's too complicated
to ask for help.

Tick tick tock

An old man still abed at noon.
No movement or sound.
No snore or audible breath.
Suddenly, a foot shifts.
He's still alive.

Tick tick tock.
Tick tock tick.

A blade snicks out of a boot,
Slicing will open tough skin.
Blood is lost, rancour grows.
Running feet are heard.

tick tock tick...
tick tock tick tock.

Time is not like a river.
Time is a collected series of events.
Vignettes.
What was once... and will never be again.
Tick tick tock

©Ellen Pepper 2026