off the clock.

turn the rusty gold knob but it won't open-
because the key has been brok e n 
inside the lock.

this was no accident,
as the caution tape would suggest.
but the culprit's gone missing,
& nobody is looking for them. 

because she told them she was leaving
to her surprise- they let her go.
(maybe they really do stand for honesty) 

there really isn't any need to go inside 
because all that's left is a white wall clock 
with the black numbers scratched out. 

you see- she'd rather use the sun. 
so when it rained for a week
she lost track of everything.

and didn't know when to go, 
but she may have left in a nick (le) of time
only the clock could tell. 

it doesn't click- like the lock.
there is no tock 
to be heard. 

just faint echos of her quiet being
waiting for the rain to stop
beating.