Time Adverbs

Every now and then
he lifts his eyes towards the window
trying to bring in sight
the commotion outside...

On other occasions
he coughs and spits and the saliva rolls out,
hangs from his lips
oscillating at length before it reaches the floor...

When he hears footsteps
fainting away from his door
gathers every ounce of strength
and hisses impatiently...

Sometimes
he argues with the electric appliances
chiding them for failing to reproduce
memories of questionable value...

Presence
- lost, but unaltered,
within time's absence -
determined, always, by time adverbs...