The Box

Time after time

I wash up on the shore

Of my own subconscious

And find a house I've always known

But have forgotten

I'm standing

In an ornate room

For sitting

Ivy wallpaper

Creeping

Cherry grandfather clock

Ticking

Ticking

Ticking

Ticking

Hour hand at three

That's when I remember

It's a house I've always known

The place I'm meant to be

A place I've been before

But have forgotten

The last time

And the time before that

And wait

There's something else...

Of course

The box

The secret, priceless box

Hidden deep inside

The house I've always known

But have forgotten

Time ticks

And I know this too

I have to hurry before I wake

Fast

Find the box

Where did I look last

The clock is

Ticking

Ticking

Ticking

I search bookcases

Like before

Feel along the mantle

Like before

I touch the gilded mirror

Wait, that's right

Feel the cool glass until it ripples

Yes, that was it

I reach in

And then step through the glass

Fast

Find the box

Where did I look last

The clock is

Ticking

Ticking

Behind fur coats in closets

Like before

Under stairs, in hidden doors

like before

Climb the staircase to the turret

Wait that's right

At the top, in the ivy covered room

Yes, that was it

I step in

The night sky bleeds in through the glass

Fast

Find the box

Where did I look last

The clock is barely

Ticking

On the edge of the conservatory

The room I have worn a path to

Like pages of an old story

One I've already told

But have forgotten

There at the edge of the fading room

A bench by a window

Heart pounding

Run to it

Fast

Find the box

This is where I looked last

Open the bench

Slowly

I've found the box

I clutch it to my chest

Overwhelmed with joy

Now to open it

I lift the lid to find…

I have awoken

The clock has stopped

Like before

Until the next time

I wash up on the shore

Of my own subconscious

And find a house

I have always known

But have forgotten

And a clock that's

Ticking

Ticking

Ticking

Ticking