ELEANOR ROSS TAYLOR

To Clock, Striking

You think I care to count?
To spell out time, a child?

Not even seven, add five
for interest, complication,
this banging at some door
(I won’t say mine—don’t seem
inclined to answer).

To throw back covers? Pull them up?

Assume, for once, I know time’s passed;
     don’t squat there growing
an extra finger on each hand,
     say straight out, Twelve!
say, End of time, time’s up, wake up,
     or say, Go back to sleep, keep sleeping—
say once for all,
     Time counts.