the Clock that Echoes

the gentle prisoner in his cell
knows the walls much too well
but the world outside, too soon to tell....
and the tears that will never fall
conjured from the constant crawl
will they never understand at all....
and the tick of the clock that echoes
speak of secrets that nobody knows
swept back before they have a chance to show...

and dreams plagued by sunshine
neon lights and bitter wine
faith in a world far from divine....
and he wakes with blood on his hands
met with deadlines and harsh demands
and he's so tired he can hardly stand...
and the tick of the clock that echoes
speak of heartache that nobody knows
shoved back before they have a chance to show....

tears will fall, even before he sings
knowing all too well, what the straining melody brings
another love song, another sorrow
another string of words to borrow
are you listening
can you hear

you'll turn away, even before he meets your eyes
knowing all too well, the things for which he cries
another breakdown, a small obsession
one last bitter confession
are you watching
can you see
he screams
the tick of the clock that echoes
until life is but a dream
and he sleeps, no more.

sandra seigle 2004