Gears refused loud order
Tick chose mercy over speed
Hours bent like willow reeds
Minutes knelt beside grief
Customers sought certainty
Left with gentler measure
Appointments learned to breathe
Deadlines loosened their collars
On the shelf a pocket watch
Face cracked into constellations
Broken glass mapped escapes
Each star a softer verdict
At closing shutters whispered peace
Keys slept under felt
Time walked out unguarded
Found the river washed its hands