One cheerful chime sounds,
Out of step,
Like lone birdsong at midnight.

You are that clock:
The solitary singer,
Taking your joy where none else will.

You choose:
Laughter in the silence of a library,
Bold light through thrown-back blackout curtains.

A shining cry rises,
drawing you away,
Like a fledgling’s hungry call.

The clocks in the house
Tick on
Like dutiful daughters.

A/N: And I must add more words to meet the minimum. Ah, MNFF, why are you so silly? I can't even add 'this was written for so-and-so challenge' because it wasn't...