Tara Gensure // HOW TO WASTE TIME IN A PANTOUM

The clock strikes twelve
I spend two hours counting the number of hours in a poem.
Now it is two o’clock
One hour passes by as I try to figure out what to do next.

Then I spend two hours counting the number of hours in the poem.
Now it is five o’clock
One hour passes by as I try to figure out what to do next.
I sleep and eleven hours come and go in a click of a clock close by and broken.

Now it is five o’clock
Four hours pass by as I write the poem.
I sleep and eleven hours come and go in a click of a clock close by and broken.
Now it is eight o’clock

Four hours pass by as I write the poem.
Eight hours slowly pass as I read the unending poem.
Now it is eight o’clock
Three hours pass as I try to fix the tired, torn tool that travels through time.

Eight hours slowly pass as I read the unending poem.
Now it is seven o’clock
Three hours pass as I try to fix the tired, torn tool that travels through time.
The hour hand trudges along restlessly while nine hours pass as if it regrets being part of a clock.

Now it is seven o’clock
I meditate. Then I realize an hour went by so I go back an hour.
The hour hand trudges along restlessly while nine hours pass as if it regrets being part of a clock.
Ten hours pass as I try to look for the stealthy poem.

I meditate. Then I realize an hour went by so I go back an hour. Now it is two o’clock
Ten hours pass as I try to look for the stealthy poem.
The clock strikes twelve