Measured Moments

Moments measured

in tolled hours

          and half-pasts

 

Revealing the dignity

of old-world hands

 

Silent now,

still...

reminding me

of the time

Author's Note

I have an old mantle clock that was made by my great-uncle which sat in my grandmother's hall for decades. It no longer keeps time... but it holds it just the same.

Reviews

[Kenaz]

Wow, short and meaningful. The clocks old hands remind of us of our own. Every now and then we look down to find a different skin, a different time.

[Rita L. Sev]

So true... Thank you for this thoughtful review, Kenaz.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like the double meaning of "old world hands"

the clock's hands, but also the ancient's hands---those that molded society in the old days...

and those clock hands often remind me of the time that has slipped away---

hopefully i have made the numbers mean something...

wow, i like this poem...a bit abstract in some sense, made me go places.

[Rita L. Sev]

"Old world hands" was actually the first thought that led to this poem... Thank you so much, Jacob.

[Lyn Anderson]

I like your explanation. Some things hold memories that are frozen in time.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, KL!

[AprilRN1210]

clever irony... this is one of those nostalgic, "feel good" pieces.. it is funny how things can hold little snippets of time.. memories.. our senses can stimulate those times long forgotten.. a song.. a scent.. an object.. what I love about your work is that you make me think, yet feel at the same time, but doing each subtly and beautifully.. the creative way you had the title (love the alliteration by the way) blend with the initial layer and the deeper emotion was brilliant.. kind of like life if you look at it that way.. over time we evolve, our roles change.. that clock no longer functions as a means to know what time it is in the present, but it holds those precious, treasured moments in time that sometimes are more important than the initial role.. awesome work as usual.. I really enjoyed:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Wow - thank you so much for your insights, April! I appreciate the thought you put into your reviews. Yes, little things hold so much. A few years ago, I asked a local clockmaker if it would be possible to repair my clock; he said that they would have to replace the interior works. I opted to leave it as it is - as you so beautifully put it, holding the precious moments, definitely more important... Thanks again! :)

[AprilRN1210]

you are more than welcome girl.. it is always a pleasure to read your work.. :)

[Relic]

Reminding me of the time. That's a nice way to end it. There is a craftmanship to making a clock that most grandfather and mantle clock owners appreciate. I like the verses you've chosen. Just think of all the events that took place while it clicked away. If only we could open it up somehow and see them all. Great poem.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Tim. Wow - yes, if only we could... I hear that clock often in memories, moments both joyful and sad for my family. Your insightful words have me thinking... perhaps I owe this clock another look...

[Relic]

haha, I was thinking along a twilight zone type poem myself. However, TZ did one about a radio in the same vain so I'm out. haha Take a look, I'll be here waiting for your results. :)

[icelandicblue]

It is wonderful to have such a clock that connects to your family's past. The clock and the poem are bridges to those who came before.

Revealing the dignity
of old-world hands

Those lines are fraught with beauty.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Blue.