Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick,
by Zachary Corona
University of the Incarnate Word
Zachary Corona is a sophomore at the University of the Incarnate Word. He is majoring in English and minoring in Theater Arts and is projected to graduate in the Spring of 2026. Zachary is part of the UIW Honors Program and Film Club. He has worked in several creative writing classes and has volunteered in UIW's Community Garden.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.
Gotta get to it.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.
Saturday calls for my inscription.
I better get to work before trouble lurks,
and I go berserk.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.
How do poets do this stuff?
The process is rough and tough.
I feel like my cuffs are being yanked by a tank.
Tick, tick, tick, tick.
What should I do?
I feel like a fool in school with no tools.
Nothing approaches me with open arms.
I’m the lone ranger with no guide,
and no words to survive.
Tick, tick, tick.
The sharp lead touches the paper.
My hand moves like I’m writing hieroglyphics.
Tick, tick.
Okay, the words start to appear from the smoke.
These words I’m writing struck me like lightning.
Yes! It’s all coming together, just got to write one more...
Tick.
Time.
