Caravellum

Experimenting with incorporating syllabic rhythm into writing. This one is pretty rough and an odd premise but there’s something there perhaps.

Without the sound of your breathing – Tick – I realise how loud the clock is – Tock – The antique marks the seconds out – Tick – And I’m surprised you ever slept – Tock – I wish I knew how to stop it – Tick – Before the smell of you faded – Tock – But, I’m still in your bed – Tick – With my feet hanging off the edge – Tock.

I hear the sound of the back door – Click – A breath of air enters the room – Fwoo – Briefly, for a second – Tick – I hope that you have come back home – Tock – Then I hear steps and rummaging –Sksh – Moving between these empty rooms – Thud – And I realise I don’t know them – Tick – and there’s a stranger in our home – Thump.

The door opens – Creak – He’s in your room – Thump – my hard-heart-beats – Thump – tobacco reeks – Thump – he bumps the shelf – Thump – stuffing his bag – Thump – he notices me – Thump – goes suddenly still – Thump – we watch each other – Thump – in the dim moonlight – Thump.

“I won’t call the cops”- Thump – I offer to him – Thump – He nods slowly – Thump – Then, he twists – Thump – Treading backwards – Thump – I’ll be alone again – Thump – Mouth moves too quick – Thump – I ask if he would stay – Thump – He stops, half-turned – Thump – “I can make coffee or tea” – Thump – “Or a Milo with honey” – Thump – The man takes in the room – Thump – He judges me then speaks – Thump – “I didn’t realise you were here.” – Thump – “The bins hadn’t been brought in” – Thump – “The mailbox was full” – Thump.

“I know”, then silence – Tick –  He gestures about, “how old?” – Tock – I shake my head, “too young” – Tick – The man clicks his tongue – Tch – “It will never get easier” – Tick – “you’ll just get used to it” – Tock – “You lost somebody too?” – Tick – He shifts his bag of things – Tock.

“How do you stop feeling – Tick – like it’s all moving on too quick?” – Tock – “I know this might sound a bit odd – Tick – but leaving the house can help” – Tock – ”It would make your job easier” – Tick – He laughs, “But at your pace – Tock – life only has one expiry – Tick – the rest is all just best before” – Tock.

“I don’t know how to let her go” – Tick – “Well I can’t guarantee it’s clean – Tock – but if you need to clear your mind – Tick – I might have some things need doing.” – Tock – I stare, “you got a card?” – Tick – “Nah, give me your number.” – Tock – “I won’t pressure you – Tick – just offering a new start” – Tock.

And with that, the man left, taking payment for his gift. After, as I found myself in the deep silence falling into a deep sleep, I thought, of all the things he could have stolen, I’m glad it was that clock.