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Open Poetry #42
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You Can't Buy Time
| Open Poetry #42 |
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You Can't Buy Time |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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You Can’t Buy Time A greedy king of untold wealth who lived alone - kept to himself - collected clocks of every kind inside his castle, so refined. He spent his money left and right indulging in his own delight but never lent a helping hand to those misfortuned in his land. He wound each timepiece day and night and rarely saw the morning light. There in his safe and comfy shell, he lived his life and lived it well. The seasons passed within those walls - the springs, the summers, and the falls. The king, surrounded by his court of clocks, inside his self-made fort. He placed each clock upon a shelf then madly giggled to himself; he’d search his realm, buy every one; he’d own all time when he was done! Beyond those ramparts, life went on for every peasant, knight, and pawn; A drought sprung up across the land that turned once fertile ground to sand. The cattle starved. The crops all died. Men passed too young; their widows cried. The death count rose beyond compare and yet the king was unaware. Soon one by one his kingdoms fell beyond his self-indulgent cell. And as men do, the king grew old surrounded by his wealth of gold. He felt the weathered hand of time. He heard the clicks, the tolling chime, of each and every worn out clock - that never ending ‘tick’ then ‘tock’. Within his fold, he now grew bored of clocks that spoke in just one chord and longed to hear human refrains - But, sadly, no one else remained. As years passed on, each clock wore out till soon the king was left without even their dull relentless ticks within his solitude of bricks. The great king ended out his life devoid of children, friends or wife. The moral to this simple rhyme - No matter what, you can’t buy time. I am nothing special...and my name will soon be forgotten,but I've loved another with all my heart and soul,and to me,this has always been enough.~N.S |
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| © Copyright 2008 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I really like this. kept me going right up to the end. Ida |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
'Tis of the essence.. Well said, dear lady - Hoping all's well with you..  |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ruth, This is very well done, and true. I like it. Bobby |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh brother Ruth, this would make just the greatest children's book  Well done! |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
They say that happiness comes with giving...James |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Dear Ruth..I loved your story... how true, how true! I hope you have had a wonderful Easter break.. .love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
He felt the weathered hand of time. He heard the clicks, the tolling chime, of each and every worn out clock - that never ending ‘tick’ then ‘tock’. Love it. I agree with Mysteria, this would make a great children's book. And could be illustrated well. You should check on it. Find someone you know who is great at illustrations and then send it in to a publisher. I think the moral to the story is great!!! M |
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sarlou Junior Member
since 2008-03-23
Posts 16burnley,lancashire,england |
i also agree this would be a perfect way to show kids money cant buy you everything. As kids these days seem to think that you have to spend, spend, spend to be happy.... love it... |
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INclan Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024Indiana, USA |
Well said poet, well said! INclan |
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simon Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440London, England |
Really enjoyed this... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
HootieOwl~ This is delightful ... the story and the moral of the story~  *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ruth, It never matters when you post... what matters is you've always something so timely to impart... Always. Miss you! |
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