Tick-Tock
For Carolina Borges' 500 Reads Haiku Challenge.
🕔 🕔 🕔
Second, minute, month,
another year has gone by.
There's no stopping time.
🕔 🕔 🕔
*
Note: This haiku was inspired by a conversation with my sister. We were talking over coffee when we suddenly looked at each other, dumbfounded – our baby brother turned sixteen this year. I mean, we obviously know how old he is, but for some reason, that number hit us like a brick once we started picking it apart. We remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. Okay, maybe five years ago...at most. NOT SIXTEEN! (That math makes me older than I'd like) To us, he will always be the baby of the family. The baby who now rides and fixes dirt bikes for fun. The baby who solves a Rubik's Cube faster than I can find the end of cling film (excuse me – a week ago, you couldn't even hold a spoon.) The baby who is now taller than everyone else in the family. Okay, it's not much of a competition to be taller than me, but still, he's well over a head taller. When did this happen?
*
Check out the challenge at the link below. There's still time to join in!
About the Creator
Cristal S.
I’ve noticed when I follow the path I enjoy most, I often end up swimming upstream. So here I am, right in the middle of it – writing about it all and more. ♡
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Cristal S. and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (4)
My sister just turn 19, but it feels like it was only 2 years ago or so when she was a newborn baby! So small, she fit on my forearm with her head in my palm. And now, she's taller than me!
This one hit close to home—time really does sneak up on us, and that last line carried so much quiet truth. Your author’s note made me smile and nod the whole way through. I’m reading through all the entries now, and yours captured something we all feel but rarely say out loud. Beautiful work.
Well, that haiku hit hard (you're on a heart-hitting streak, it seems 😭). We can't stop time, sadly... unless you know a secret that I don't, Cristal! Haha. Aha, I can see the inspiration for the poem. It's heartwarming to hear you talk about your family. Some people really do grow fast (and tall!). I hope your lil' bro knows he has a talented older sister (or sisters, if your sister also has talents). I guess he must if he partakes in your baking! 😂💛
I totally understand that feeling. I'm an only child but that's how I feel when with my cousins who are younger than me. Like they're just babies, y'know. Time keeps going no matter what. Loved your poem!