SUNDAY’S VILLANELLE: FEBRUARY 23, 2014

Neverland Timepiece

The Crocodile crept, on-ticker
in pixie dusted steps, insensible
as the shadow of a chroniker.

Round and under, never quicker
than the gear rate commensurable
the Crocodile crept, on-ticker

with scaled sheen, gold teeth, and a slimey licker
salivating, eager to snatch its tail prehensible
as the shadow of a chroniker

I watched it with bloodshot sight by the flicker
of the cigarette on my lip, sub-extensible
the Crocodile crept, on-ticker

its fetid, wheezing breath on my knees curled up on the wicker
the groan of the twigs, my fort indefensible
as the shadow of a chroniker

it passed under my second hand below a shot glass full of liquor
and there it will sit–and click–for the spill indispensible.
The Crocodile crept, on-ticker
as the shadow of a chroniker.