Joshua DeGrasse-Baumann

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My Watch Stopped Ticking

You told me the tick-tock
whispering in your ear

was the sound
of two people in love,

a rhythmic give and take,
always reliable.

It was the sound
we wound up

with a kiss,
just to see

how long
it could go.

Months later,
you told me

the sound
grew too

predictable,
winding down,

the spring
is spent.

It was
only when

you finally
told me

it was
over

that I
noticed

my watch
stopped

ticking.

---

 

Joshua DeGrasse-Baumann served as co-editor of his college literary magazine, Century.