I Hear the Clock Now

There was a time I only heard noise. Phones ringing, doors slamming, demands flying. I missed the soft tick of the clock. Now I hear it—and it speaks.

It tells me that time is passing, yes. But not to scare me.

It reminds me that I still have time. And that every quiet moment is a gift I used to waste.

Now I listen more. I look more. I don’t rush the tea to cool. I don’t scroll past birdsong. It’s all part of the second half I didn’t know would feel this full.