Three AM

The numbers on the wall

glowed red, a steady stare.

I heard the minutes fall,

a weight I could not bear.

The clock face, stark and plain,

marked out the passing hours.

Each second brought a pain,

like wilting summer flowers.

Three AM. The world asleep,

while I lay wide awake.

Secrets the darkness keep,

for goodness gracious sake.

The steady tick, tick, tick,

a sound that never ceased.

My own heart beating quick,

a nervous, troubled beast.

The red light held its ground,

a constant, burning hue.

No comfort could be found,

just time passing through.