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Open Poetry #13
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the Clocks
| Open Poetry #13 |
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the Clocks |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State 
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The clocks must be set, and kept in alignment. Keeping them so was my love's assignment. The tall grandfather clock, stands in the front hall. He's the handsomest, grandest time piece of them all. Every fifteen minutes, playing musical chimes, bonging the hours at almost the right times. The mantel clock's old. He was our antique find, never loses a minute, if I remember to wind. The cuckoo's too fast. I don't know why the hurry. With my love to adjust him, I had no need to worry. The Dutch clock's reliable, 'til his weights hit the floor. When that happens, I struggle to start him once more. The electrics and others keep good time all right. They don't keep me informed when I awaken at night. Listening for the time, I hear the cukoo bird sing, and know in ten minutes the mantel will ding. In a short while I'm sure the grandfather will bong. The dutch clock chimes in and has the time wrong. My sister is with me, spending the night. The clocks are too noisy and none of them right. She can't understand why I have so many. I'd know the time better if I didn't have any. I am such a failure, a time-keeping dunce; unable to keep them all striking at once. By Joyce 01/18/2001 |
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| © Copyright 2001 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Embers_Before_God Member
since 2001-03-06
Posts 101USA |
nicely done...Embers Dance with me under the moon. Touch my pale skin. Devour me. Love me. |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Cleverly and masterfully done. Wonderful. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Joyce? I have sounds that bong just like this.... I so enjoyed! Thank you! |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
This is so cute, I can almost hear them chiming in unison to salute you. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You wove the humor of you trying (unsuccessfully *G*) to keep your clocks cooperating with the sadness of missing the one who used to have the job very well. And you reminded me of (another *G*) reason I'm glad I never have to visit my ex-inlaws anymore... they have a zillion clocks all keeping different times LOUDLY. LOL |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
and they say timing is everything... this is a very clever and creative write I enjoyed the imagery, wit and soft humor of this... as well as the wisdom and analogies of time, and our worship of it. very well done poetess. I love your imperfections ... I love your everything ... |
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Just A Woman Senior Member
since 2001-03-10
Posts 507 |
I loved this, Joyce. And I was horrified to realize the only clocks I own are on my microwave and my stove and my alarm clocks. Yours sound so much nicer! 
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JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
I get this picture of all these clocks, different times, different chimes...delightful! |
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Fading Away
since 2001-03-14
Posts 3131Lynchburg, Virginia |
Very nicely done. I enjoyed this. --Marie subconsciously, i think i can eat so much to make my stomach hurt, instead of my heart. |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Joyce, A nice job here. Clocks? Who needs 'em? I never use the darn things. Michael Proust- |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Joyce~ I just LOVE this piece ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Joyce: I loved this poem! It reminded me of my grandmother's house, as after my grandfather died, she had the same problem. None of the clocks were ever coordinated again. Betty Lou Hebert |
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thecraig Member
since 2001-03-11
Posts 223 |
Reminds me on the clocks my Mum kept first a Grandfather Clock then Cookoo I miss then now with two tiny digital clocks & not a watch to find |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Joyce~ I just love this....at my father-in-laws house, there are a million clocks ( they call his house the tic toc house) when you first go there, the sound of the clocks is all you can here...then, you get so used to it, you know when each clock is going to chime.....I have 3...someday I hope to get a grandfather clock.... SEA |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I had a clock that chimed...and drove me crazy...I stopped winding it...but I still love it for its beauty. Enjoyed your poem! |
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Amuse_mi Member
since 2001-04-22
Posts 110 |
Like some of the other poet's mentioned, it is amazing how we store memories in sounds (in colors and tastes). We are the collectors and keepers of the metaphor. Always searching for the perfect one at the perfect time. This piece took me through my familial lineage. The grandparents, who each gave me a clock, and my mother who inherited most of her parent's collection and my father who helped build mantle clocks. I own a grandmother clock, inherited from the grape ranch homestead. It, too, is fickle...but more with it's choice to (or not to) chime. Only at my house does it gong twelve times at 6:00. |
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