Bound to Time

Bound to Time

I never wanted to admit it but there always seemed to be
some unexplained foreboding forever stalking me.
I knew that it existed, perhaps only in my head —
my own private boogeyman — at least that's what they said.

But now I'm here to tell you, I think I may have found
that all these years 'twas simply Time sneaking all around.
This creature void of flesh or form, was present at my birth
and since that day, ol' Time has had me tethered to this Earth.

Each breath I take and moment lived is quickly snatched away
as Time feeds steadily on my life and turns my hair to gray.
He clings to me like sticky webs and redesigns my skin
in tiny tangled lines and spots where once my youth had been.

Because ol' Time won't let me go, I sag and limp and groan.
He steals the memories from my mind as if they aren't my own.
My back's bent like a weathered tree with stiff and gnarled limbs,
and knowledge aches deep in my bones as age-worn eyes grow dim.

You'd think I'd hate this cruel beast, but I've grown rather fond —
and 'til my final breath is spent, we'll share this crazy bond.
Yes, on my life Time's left his mark, but my ending's yet untold.
No, I never wanted to admit, but dang I'm getting old!


20 lines / aa-bb rhyme scheme