the pocket watch

odd how items hold memories

it was in one of those boxes

a box of trinkets from years past

old school certificates

family photos from what seems centuries ago

another life

and there 

hiding in its corner

right at the bottom

lies this dirty clock

thick with dust

hiding the cheap metal

shamefully displaying its old age

the chips and scratches

the patches of rust

cold to the touch

the front bears some cote of arms

some symbol 

meaning lost and unknown

and unimportant

as i hold it by the chain

a vague chilling familiarity

sweeps over my scenes

my thumb pushes on the button

squeezes tighter and tighter

the age and rust

holding me back

i hear the click

the lid reluctantly swings open

half past ten

and a picture

a tear from my sole

softens the image

i remember

i remember the most  impotent person to ever touch my life

my dad

a kind man

who did no harm

a spiritual man

i know so little 

forgot so much

those first 5 years of my life 

a messy blear of emotion an till this point

now the fog clears

and i just stand there gazing at the now silent clock

remembering

remembering and crying.

for that moment i was 5 years old again

not understanding

i wind the clock

i wind and wind

wishing, praying

i force myself to stop

moving the clock to my ear

i listen

silence

i  can never bring him back

Author's Note

its been such a long time since i though of him. miss u dad

Reviews

[Ama May Cooper]

As someone who knows what happend, this poem seems to tell a differnt story, of perhaps a unknown loss or destiantion of a more present and eager pain to be solved. Its beautiful but sadnenning i love it so soft and gentle it only takes soft memories stored in the back of our mind to burst a heart ..

[Lottie]

A beautiful heartbreaking poem. Its amazing to find how people touch us even when there gone, just little reminders. I love the anticipation at the beginning and then the flow of emotions, with the links between everything. Thank you for sharing this

[Manda]

wow this was very deep but yet very emotional. there were a few minor grammar mistakes but nothing to big you cant fix. your description was very very good i could picture of the old century clock. i felt as though i was there and it brought a tear to my eye... i never met my dad i was only just a baby when my mom left... it is very hard. parents are always remembered even if you didnt know that for that long.... i guess things just happen for a reason. reasons i will never understand.... well done! i believe this is your best! 100/100

[James Paulin]

Parents are remembered in many ways and your memories are faded and brief but all positive. This is a wonderful tribute to your dad and very nicely done using the pocket watch as a symbol of another time. One of your best I've seen.

[Kristin]

this is really interesting...in a good way. it wasn't what i was expecting when i first started reading it. i can't imagine how it must feel but your poem really shows the feeling and emotions behind what happened.

nice.