Time in a Bottle

Ticking, ticking, ticking...

 

Time in a Bottle

By Jack Ivey

 

I turn the key within its chamber

The hinges cry a woeful squeak

Closed up tight for years uncounted

Moments that this attic keeps

 

Memories of days forgotten

Scattered on this wooden floor

As if time trapped in a bottle

Safely kept for evermore

 

Foraging through endless bounties

Dust it lays more than an inch

Dim, the incandescent light bulb

No one else has been here since

 

Now my mind it tends to wander

Dreaming of the good old days

Photographs breathe life now savored

Black and white their bold displays

 

I find a tear my eye now forming

Destined, I relive the cost

Draped of fabric worn and tattered

Faces of the friends I’ve lost

 

Is this it, my life collected

Answered questions now begin

Left for someone to discover

Soon to scatter on the wind

 

I turn the key within its chamber

The lock it moans an empty click

Count your blessings as they happen

Life it passes, oh so quick

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Ellie Howard]

Oh, this was just excellent.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Ellie

[Zahra]

Great imagery and theme. Life does pass quickly. Memories are both sweet and bitter, but every passing moment should be treasured.

[Jack...]

Thank you very much

[Deidara]

Wow. I wish I could use words like you. Congrats on an excellent piece of writing.

[Jack...]

Thank so much

[Veronica Chandler]

This piece is such a delightful and inspired piece from your pen. Your read of it on World Poetry Open Mic made this piece live! The profound lines at the end gave me chills,
"I turn the key within its chamber
The lock it moans an empty click
Count your blessings as they happen
Life it passes, oh so quick"
Exquisitely penned!

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Veronica. I appreciate your sweet words.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Congrats Mr. Jack you deserved it :)

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Marc. It's pretty cool.

[KAOlmsted]

Great message...in a bottle ;-) You're lucky to have that attic.

[Jack...]

And not a single O' in the attic. Thanks so much

[KAOlmsted]

Ha! I noticed that ;-) My pleasure...

[InsanityWriter]

Excellent imagery. :) Great write!! (as always ;)

[Jack...]

Thank you my good friend.

[Carolann Dowsett]

There is a sadness in this Jack and a wistful dream of recapturing things that have passed. Your writing is so full of emotion. Just beautiful.

[Jack...]

My dear Carolann, thank you so very much for reading my poem and for your sweet words.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Welcome Jack :)

[KeelyJane]

I love your work. You are such a natural.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much for reading and commenting. I truly appreciate it.

[Dhaye]

Bravo! I super like it!

[Jack...]

Thanks so much