The Lullaby of the Tick-Tocks

The Lullaby of the Tick-Tocks

I collect clocks
the black cat clock, tail swinging back
and forth, back and forth,
the electric antique tea kettle clock
two kids sipping sodas at the ice cream parlor,
the clock reminding them to go back to school,
Elvis in his blue striped jacket and gyrating hips,
the Roller Rink Luncheonette neon clock
that lights up the kitchen at night.
I collect clocks so that every night
my breath takes on the steady rhythm
of the clocks, drifting off to
sleep in the company of
the black cat, the tea kettle,
Elvis, the lunch lady
and the kids sipping their
sodas.

Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/photos/kidicarus222/19970615/