the clock tower

the clock tower

A Poem by m.s.early
"

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

© 2014 m.s.early


Author's Note

m.s.early
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.

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Reviews

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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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**

Posted 10 Years Ago


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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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.

Posted 10 Years Ago


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

Posted 10 Years Ago


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.

Posted 10 Years Ago


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.

Posted 10 Years Ago



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Added on March 13, 2014
Last Updated on March 13, 2014

Author

m.s.early
m.s.early

VA



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"A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep." -Salman Rushdie more..

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