Mister Smith's Odyssey

"Hello there, forlorn old clock upon the antique store shelf!
I can't bear to leave you there reminiscing by yourself.
You'd sure look fine reposing upon the mantel in my house!
Let me fetch some bail to redeem you from my spouse!"

Now I usually don't converse with an inanimate object,
But I thought 'twould be interesting with the clock to reflect,
Upon his ancient genesis and from whence he came.
I'll call him Mister Smith since that was the maker's name.

"I see you were born in England", then, I let him take it from there.
"I think I was born in Piddlehinton but I cannot really swear.
I 'ave a pedigree you know! I graced the palace of a king,
Where I rang me chimes, kept the time and dutifully did me thing!"

"I fell from grace and to the colonies me way I did wend,
And fell in with a kind soul I thought I could befriend.
But me melodious Westminster chimes 'e couldn't abide.
'E said I kept 'is kids and dog awake, so 'e cast me aside!"

"So that's 'ow I ended up on this bleak shelf, you see.
'Til you came along" he sobbed, "no one wanted me!"
I could see he was all 'wound up' and so to ease his tension,
I bought him, oiled his wheels and adjusted his hanging suspension!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Mac Donald Avatar
March 22, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Hi Robert! This is a lovely write, you've given credence to this "old clock". Where some had passed it by, you've given it a home. This will certainly bring food for thought! Wishing you the best!! Mikki
Mister Roboto Avatar
March 5, 2011 at 11:10 AM
This is an imaganative poem. It does make you think about the objects you have that and who had them before and what they did with them and why they could rid of them. Great job making us look at radom objects in a new way!
Devonshire Avatar
March 4, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Heck, my neighbor keeps me awake, Bob. Wish I could adjust "his hanging suspension." Cute conversation with the poor, unappreciated clock. He'll have a good home on your mantle shelf. Lots of clever lines make for a very enjoyable read! Love, Carolyn
Brown Avatar
March 3, 2011 at 10:02 AM
I am enjoying reading the many diverse poems written by the many wonderful poets writing and sharing here at PoetrySoup today. I am happy that yours was among the ones I had the pleasure to read Bob. Love, Carol
Taylor Avatar
March 2, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Quite a timely tale, my friend. LOL. Got a chuckle. Really enjoyed. Excellent write. Thanks for your kind words. Ralphie
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace