[Verse 1] The clock keeps taking little bites I circle numbers, cross them out The page is full of almost-rights But nothing answers back [Pre-Chorus] One more line, one more try The minutes thin beneath my eye [Chorus] I’m closer to the deadline Not a step toward the answer The second hand keeps drawing the line And I keep pulling at the wrong thread Closer, closer, no way through The clock knows what I can’t undo [Verse 2] The margin’s crowded with my plans A pencil snapped across the page I trace the same unfinished span While time turns up its pace [Pre-Chorus] One more guess, one more sign The blank space won’t give up its side [Chorus] I’m closer to the deadline Not a step toward the answer The second hand keeps drawing the line And I keep pulling at the wrong thread Closer, closer, no way through The clock knows what I can’t undo [Bridge] Wait—there’s a mark beneath the stain A tiny change I missed before The pieces shift, then slip again The clock is at the door [Final Chorus] I’m closer to the deadline Now the answer’s coming into view The second hand keeps drawing the line I can still push this problem through Closer, closer, one clear move The clock can’t choose what I will do [Outro] The clock ticks on I write it down
