Old Watches

Old Watches by Edmund Siejka Of all the watches at the mall It’s the old watches I like best Antiques hidden in the back Away from the brash newcomers Rolex and Tag Heuer. When I was a kid I watched grownups On early mornings Carefully turn the watch’s small button Winding up its tiny moving springs Bringing the watch back to life. In those days there were no quartz parts The old watches Were marvels of human ingenuity And old fashioned craftsmanship Encased in brass Tiny springs and miniature wheels Moving together in synchronized harmony. My old watch still works Moving effortlessly 360 degrees Past the 12 Down to the lowly 6 Marveling at its resiliency That this thing, This very old watch Handed down to me a long, long time ago Still keeps time. Every so often I bring the watch Back to the jeweler Holding the old timepiece in his hand He would solemnly say “They don’t make watches like these anymore The young prefer I-phones To tell time That’s technology for you.” Each day More and more of the old timepieces Are lost or forgotten In bedrooms where Grandparents Kept family documents In dark dresser drawers And faded photos Graced night tables. Where are the old watches now? Why just this morning A practiced hand Was needed to tenderly turn a watch’s small button And gently nudge the old timepiece back to life.