I Scribble Lyrics on the Clock

I scribble lyrics on the clock
Scrawling with a child's breathless anticipation
Tongue peeking meekly out.
Waiting for the music to seize me once more
And lead me on a wild red herring goose chase
Following the drums on flighty feet.

Between the creases on my palm
And the rhythm of my lips
Sleeps a creature of such brittle serenity.
Then wakes a cowed and beaten beast of shadows
Hobbles to the window
Rousing itself with words of wonder.

And past the frozen windowboxes
A feather, peacock-yellow and wobbly-fingered
Drifts towards the fire and devours the flame.
You shake your head and turn away
Turning your back to the heat and the noise
Clouding your tongue with a silent frost.