Clockwork Child

Clockwork child
who never unwinds
sit still a moment
and listen this tale
under warm faerie light.

 

Once, when the world was young,
a child as yourself
went about in merriment
dancing and singing through the daisies.
Oblivious to the onset of night
and waking of demons.

 

Red-eyed fiery beasts
that dwell in the shadows
of oak trees.
Slimy-scaled monsters
welcoming young children close
to snatch them up
and carve out their skulls.

 

I lose myself, child.
The skull carving is withheld
for naughty children.
Children who forget themselves
as I have done just now.
Children who know nothing
of fighting demons.

 

But do not sway,
you have naught the eyes
of mischief about you.
Nay, the demons may
yet leave your body
belly-aching in the cold wind.

 

Lost,
without means
to find a path home.
Forced to find work
or surely starve.

 

Never again to hold close
the warmth of a mother
or pride of a father.
Never again to snitch cookies
when no one looks.

 

Always dirtied
Always tired
Never satisfied.

 

Be this your dream
then continue working
your clockwork madness
enjoyed by demons
waiting in the shadows.

Reviews

[Poetic82]

Yes, because we grow up. But growth brings widsom, and wisdom brings peace. I love the flow of this poem and it's emotions. In childhood life is perfect through rose colored glasses and when you age somehow they begin to wear and crack and life just doesn't look the same anymore. Here's to growing up peacefully with innocence and sweet dreams.

[Gandré]

so, again free verse. the heavy childhood hanging between you, the fate and a certain past, here you are recognizing and dealing with crisis ... here and there
Lost,
without means
to find a path home.
Forced to find work
or surely starve._________ its allegory is the darkness the skull what is still so heavy for it wasn't able to release thoughts.
your clockwork madness
enjoyed by demons
waiting in the shadows.______________ I liked here the simple past... so madness was there but to me it looks... that that he has arranged himself with his madness and with damons...one can be balanced even this way, it is about acceptance of one self.

Interesting, deep and piercing piece of poetry. this is your style, this comes from the heart. I sensed.