When you realise the clock is set too late

And so
I see at last
The shadow of
My existence

Lemon flavoured
And rotten inside
Long past best before
Squeezed of all the flavour
Just a few pips left
To choke on

I don’t want you to taste me
And digest the truth
I can’t risk watching
The moment
The juice poisons
And your face
Writhes like it was meant to
In disgust

Or worse still
Watch you
Choke
On the dried up seeds
Of all that was never nourished

And so,
I will bury deep
The face that cast
The shadow

My memory
Is best