clockwork amore 
(in toscana)

The thing ignored: it was love. 
Gone, fallen-- 
suddenly leaning on strength 
in his room, 
cutting out words 
repasting music 
inside of me-- 
a trapped movement. 
(I'm forgetting language)

The return to it: 
Time (stop) 
Distance 
is not (but it is) 
expressing this thing 
experiencing this thing 
this mess, together.

I started this with loving him.

Me: insomniac of love, 
trying to salvage 
an hour, a minute, 
a lifetime, wanting 
to throw the machine, 
the idea against the wall and 
break it 
(but I know I'll need it tomorrow). 

Nothing survives, only 
uncertainly; only 
the way he breathed 
two months ago, 
only the eyes of sleep 
open, making love to 
rememberance.

Caroline Seagle's questions:

1.) What is the effect of my use of parentheses? That is, "Time (stop)" and "Distance/is not (but it is)"...etc. Does the reader sense the contrast I am trying to convey between two different voices? The sense of confusion and haste?

2.) Does the reader pick up on the idea of "Time" presented throughout the poem, the struggle with time ("the machine, the idea")? Can the reader sense the connection between 'Time' and 'Distance'?

3.) I use the word "love" frequently in this poem. This is always a difficult word.. Does this come off as sounding cliched or is it accepted as being an honest account of the speaker's feelings? A heavy or light effect?