Not a Moment Too Soon

9:57
...been standing here
waiting for the clock to tick.
It seems its hands
have begun to stick.
I only have
eight minutes remaining
yet my hope
is steadily feigning.

9:58
One minute closer
to a goal
that seems too far
as hope gets more dull.

10:00
For some this time
would be good enough
but the aim here
is just too tough.
The chance to be
obtained here and now
is suddenly approaching
and upon me somehow.
I begin to feel
excitement overcome
until I remember
we are not done.

10:03-10:04
They come together
as I look up
to see the deciding hand
finally lock it up.

10:06-10:07
The exhalation
can now take place
as the longest leg
has finished in this race.
Let the final work
here upon us commence
as is all of our
nightly rewards and presents.

Collapsing Time

My eyes are so heavy
they feel they must close
but I have a goal yet to accomplish
and abandonment of it is not what I chose.
Hours away from the deadline,
my heart and words are fading.
My will is dwindling, as is time,
the ever-elusive pressure, unchanging.
Ideas appear in a head so clouded
with fatigue, my thoughts' worst enemy.
I'm begging for a psyche able to fight back,
but discover that psyche is no friend to me.
With words designed to encourage
pouring into my head as quickly as they can,
none of them are taking or being absorbed
in any fashion that aid me in my plan.

My drive is being worn down
as I no longer have the energy to continue.
What was once so important to me to finish
is now but another task that, tomorrow, I can do.
No longer is that ambition a priority
as I can spare no more sleep over this goal.
Instead I will let the frustration conquer
despite leaving, within me, this gaping hole.