Locks and Clocks

/Locks and Clocks

We change locks
like we change clocks, 
	as flippantly as daylight dims,
	as easily as days grow slim; 
		we try to bolt the sunlight out
		with combinations masked in doubt
	to shorter hours, as if we could
	feel like the conqueror who would
shut out those close and dear to us
who used to be the ones we trust. 

Clocks and locks are both the same
as tokens in some wordless game
	to keep out fear and trusted waifs;
	our meager souls no longer safe; 
		the locks have failed and so the trust
		is gone and turned to flaking rust; 
	the moths have eaten through
	those things we hoped to keep brand new; 
again our dark night will descend
and we will once again offend. 

Like locks and clocks we change our friends 
(if ever we could make amends
	for things we did with ignorance in place)
	and do not receive the coveted embrace
		from absent friends who come and go
		as night to day diminishes its glow; 
	where hope runs true within,
	returns to come around again
to lengthening days where suns shine bright,
and will dismiss the darkness of our night.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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A  Avatar
February 19, 2015 at 6:22 PM
Merwin:) Congratulations on having your awesome poem featured on the soups Home Page. ~SKAT LOVE~
A   Avatar
February 8, 2015 at 3:49 PM
Hi Merwin, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun in this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets, who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I want to be the first to invite you on over to the contest page. I OFFER MY CONTEST in hopes it inspires you in some way. I will enjoy following you and your poetry:) This is a great way to start the New Year. Lucky Us, To Have you. Enjoy 2015, with New Poet Friends! @-> LINDA <-@
A  Avatar
February 8, 2015 at 3:06 PM
MERWIN, Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. I will get much delight in reading and in time become familiar with your verse. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT
Petersen Potter Avatar
February 4, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Very nice pen Merwin! I truly enjoyed your very amazing piece, my dear friend. So sad as it is love can hurt a lot sometimes. A 7 from me! Have a very lovely day! :) Love and hugs! xxx D.""
Makama Avatar
February 4, 2015 at 11:06 AM
splendid and great! Just awesome... Clocks and locks are indeed a reflection of our life's processes and dealings... Well penned
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