This story is reprinted with permission from Brunswick County Early College High School’s The Firebird Times.
The clock spent more time ticking, tensing me endlessly.
My hand pressing against the idle keyboard,
For a few seconds, which turned into hours.
Sunrise hitting my skin like a birthday surprise and unexpected.
Restless as my hands are, I don’t stop to take a break.
Once more, the alarm loudly shouted, disrupting my trance.
My writing went wasted since my time was over.
A panic bigger than one of hundreds, mixed and filled me.
The sunlight lit up my tired face, showing my shame.
There was no time to finish my grueling piece of paper.
Stress settled in like dust in a basement.
My alarm clock stared at me with a never-ending ringing.
All writing from the night meant nothing except a reminder.
Painful as it was to have my piece discarded like rotten fruit,
It reminded me to spend time wisely.
