the clock tower

For my good friend Bill H. Rest In Peace

In the clock tower yesterday 

a cog broke a tooth

The townsfolk

pooled into a crowd at its base

on a cobblestone street

Their eyes disarrayed,

contemplated the stilled hands,

stared pensively into its motionless face

That afternoon time ceased

The town horologist gathered springs

and tension wire 

weaved between the townsfolk with his case

and disappeared inside

Children sang as they did in those days

holding hands in chorus

while the parents gathered flowers and 

shared pleasantly toned condolences

Some brought pies

and warm cakes 

and munched on memories

After some time I suppose

things will be back to normal;

the townsfolk will recite

the day time stood still in the square

and who gathered 

and who brought flowers

and who sang

and remember how they felt

As for me,

I will send a card to the horologist

with a donation for his service

and a flower for his table

and a cake for his children

In a matter of three days

the old broken cog was buried

and the clock had a new face,

and of those attending the funeral

who were old enough to remember

the time before the clock,

when it became new,

told us their stories 

I will remember the sound

of the old clock's tick tock in my ear

and the grace of its wise old face

fondly

Author's Note

Tonight I will visit the funeral home and see my friend Bill in a casket. His time (here anyway) has stopped. Family and us friends will gather around and share the parts of our lives he blessed. He was good man. He was an asset to his community and a blessing to the lives he touched. I will miss him.

Reviews

[Brittany Zedalis]

I'm sorry for your loss :( I felt the emotions within this piece. Amazing work.

[Frieda P]

So sorry for your loss xavier, this tells a vivid albeit sad and tender story. Beautiful testimonial in admiration of your friend...

In a matter of three days
the old broken cog was buried
and the clock had a new face

[Rita L. Sev]

Xavier, I am truly sorry for your loss. I love the feel of this piece - reflective and noble, an apt tribute for a friend...

[Linda alexander]

In a matter of three days
the old broken cog was buried
Your ability to take reader to wherever you want to visit is extra ordinary talent, sorry for the loss

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a moving memorial. Sorry for your loss. The mentioning of the clock throughout the poem was very effective. Truth is, nothing is ever quite the same after the loss of a good friend, is it? Sure, life goes on, but there is always a certain emptiness. Beautifully writtetn. Lydi**

[Closed]

i am so sorry for your loss. this is absolutely beautiful and a great way to remember a friend. stunning.

[CountNicholasAlti]

This is fantastic. There's something to be said about the metaphor of the cog, a simple, forgettable mechanism in most ways, but how important that mechanism can be. It's obvious the care that you had, and how you saw him as more than just a cog, even though that's what he was in this story. That is a brave and touching move, and it worked beautifully. You had a few stand out lines, such as "munching on memories," and the overall poem was well done and emotionally provoking. It's a relateable scenario, all to often and all to unfortunately.

[Tina Louise UK]

A touching tribute to your beloved friend, beautiful hun...hugs x

[Bright Ocean Star]

x., this is a beautiful tribute to an old friend. I've had to attend the funerals of a couple dear older friends of my own. I really think this is a lovely testament to Bill's place in your heart. Great work and God bless your friend.

[AYVID N]

This is a very beautiful and touching write for me Xavier. I know the world moves on but that's how it always was. We can do our bit by keeping them alive in our hearts. Great work.