KILLING TIME

I've learned not to spend a lot of money

on his wristwatches…alarm clocks

having witnessed first hand

the madness and genius

of a depressive mind

for my son and others like him

time doesn't exist at all

yesterday…today…tomorrow

one in the same

for unlike those with a healthy outlook

these unfortunates

know the true meaning of eternity

in how it stares menacingly

from every timepiece

mocks them

for their sense of hopelessness

for some

the ticking and tocking

prove too much

in desperation

they make the ultimate leap of faith

both towards and away from

that which unwinds them

but for others

not ready to give in

there's a temporary solution

to a permanent problem

with hammer

their genius and madness

put to good use

time stopped dead in its tracks

for shattered faces and hands

speak not of

seconds…minutes…or hours

gears violently disassembled

in one powerful blow

tick tock infernally no more

luckily

there's still hope for my son

for with therapy and patience

as the days…weeks…

months progress

the time between clean ups

grows longer

© 2001 Chris Sorrenti

painting by Salvador Dali