time is wasted

time is foamed milk in my coffee

time is wasted

in walks along the quay by myself

time is wasted

in long stares across the sea when

no one’s staring back

time is wasted

over tea tables and cigarettes and coffee

time is wasted

thrown across the water among stones

without bouncing

time is wasted

furtively

when I bend down

to pick up sea shells

time is wasted

on trains and buses

overnight

when I sleep

when I don’t

time is wasted

when going through my irises

through a camera lens

time is wasted

but you don’t see it

time is wasted

but you deny it

you close your eyes

you stuff your ears with music

and savage yells

and laughter

you stick your head in buckets of beer

so you don’t feel it wasting

so you don’t hear it passing.

Time is wasted but

not on you.