A Pocket Watch 1

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Tracking time has changed throughout the years
Improving how hours, minutes, seconds appear 
Sundials, hourglasses, pendulums and more
Wall, wrist, mantle, waterproof - clocks galore

There is a certain beauty to time hanging from a chain
A charm of steady ticking from a wound-up spring
Some families hand down diamonds, silver, or lockets
Heirlooms that include timepieces in pockets

Traditionally these events are solemn occasions
Like weddings, high school or college graduations
Grandfathers will take sons or grandsons aside
To privately bequeath his pocket watch with pride

He will slowly raise the timepiece to his ear
Pausing to listen to the ticking gears
Dangling the chain he clicks cover to open
Reverently holding the beloved token

Peering into the crystal face with serious affects
Both mentally count the second hand’s ticks 
With slight nod of head grandfather might relay
Special words of wisdom in his own way

I remember with fondness my own ceremony
Granddad’s advice more valuable than money
“The thing about time that will help you
Is be where you are whatever you do”

Thanking my Granddad we shook hands 
In hindsight I know I did not fully understand
Years swiftly passed with many tick tocks
Today I give my Grandson Granddad’s pocket watch

Written 1-17-2016

Favorite Contest
By Casares Nance
Third Place

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Casarah Nance

Date: 5/4/2016 10:16:00 PM

What a great story, we pass from one generation to the next, advice more valuable than money, and the clock ticking into deeper understanding. I still have my grandfathers pocket watch, I could relate to this. Thank you for sharing.