I suspect the old clock on the mantle
runs slow on purpose
she ticks faster when
I pick her up even before
twisting her little copper nose
and nudging the arms a bit which
she always applauds with a single chime
in a few days though she’ll be “sick” again
dragging along begging with that face
of hers for help with a hand around
her shoulder and some doctoring
I carry her back to the present
oh I know she’s fooling with me
the weakness is mine always
giving time the benefit of the doubt