11:59

11:59 p.m.
is not the same as:
11:59 a.m.

11:59 p.m. is:
almost midnight
almost there
so close, but not quite
on the edge of something

11:59 p.m. is:
leaning against a porch rail,
watching, or
an ear to the wall
listening, or
a hand close to the phone
waiting

11:59 p.m. is:
that hard click of plastic wall clock hands
nervous energy and anticipation,
the personification of almost

11:59 a.m. has no such symbolism
It means only: "A minute before lunchtime"
nothing more.

_{thanks to Elevenfiftynine for obvious reasons}