6:04 AM
I am lying in bed
Time is sitting on my chest, crushing my ribs into my heart
Time used to be counted by the countless ticks of a clock heard in the night; now it is only marked by the flipping of electric green numbers and sharp buzzes
Time to get up

6:39 AM
I am in the shower
Time is sitting outside the curtain, waiting for me
Time used to let me soak in the heat for an hour; now time hardly allows me to spend 5 minutes in the suds and steam
Time to get changed

7:48 AM
I am eating breakfast
Time is sitting next to me, reading the newspaper
Time used to let me eat 3 donuts, 2 cinnamon rolls, a banana, and a whole glass of chocolate milk; now time only gives me the chance to scarf down a granola bar
Time to go to work

9:57 AM
I am sitting in my office
Time is breathing down my neck, telling me I have 3 projects due
Time used to let me procrastinate, having fun and playing pranks instead of working; now my most familiar surrounding is a cubicle
Time to work harder

5:07 PM
I am leaving my office
Time is dragging me along, leading me to my car
Time used to let me lollygag and take in the view of the downtown city and parks; now I don’t remember what the hundreds of flowers smell like anymore
Time to go home

6:27 PM
I am eating dinner with my family
Time is squished in on the bench between my 2 daughters and my husband
Time used to let me talk to my family; now I don’t even remember my daughter’s favorite color
Time to clean the house

7:51 PM
I am washing the dishes
Time is dirtying the plates, making the pile grow
Time used to let me relax, face light up with television light; now I am arms deep in soapy scalding water
Time to go to bed

10:17 PM
I am trying to fall asleep
Time is laying next to me, whispering in my ear and reminding me of the millions of tasks I still have to do
Time used to let me sleep; now my nights are spent with tired eyes and an aching body
Time for tomorrow