Dorian Kotsiopoulos
TIMEWISE
I am practicing
for the clock-
drawing test
because
I am afraid
of losing
my mind.
Don’t get fancy,
I’ll chide myself:
no drippy
Daliesque clocks
sliding
away.
I’ll set the hands
as instructed,
11:10 is common.
No adding fingers
to the hands for fun:
These scorers
don’t do humor.
I need a minute
unless this test
is timed.
I always want
more.
For extra credit,
I may add a third
hand, called the second
hand, to check
my pulse, to help
figure out
what makes me
tick.
I will myself
to pay attention
when they give
three words
to remember.
daughter,
heaven,
mountain
They’ll ask for them
back later.
It is just a loan.
Anyway, time.