The Clockwork Clue
A silver box vanished from
the grand maestro's locked
room, leaving only a riddle
etched upon the squeaky
floorboards in the gloom.
" I have teeth but cannot bite,
I sing only when tightly wound."
Detective Vance traced the
hidden gears carved into the
mahogany ground.
Beneath the grand piano, a
puzzle of shifting tiles lay
concealed.
He aligned the brass
symbols until a secret
compartment was revealed.
Inside rested the velvet
lining, but the musical prize
was gone.
It was replaced by a final
etched note that glimmered
in the dawn.
"You found the keyhole, but
the songbird has already flown."
"Look where the shadows
dance when the midnight
bells groan."
Vance focused on the final
words and glanced at the
grand grandfather clock
across the room.
He realized the shifting
shadows cast by the clock's
swinging pendulum pointed
directly toward a loose wall
scenic panel.
Pressing the hidden spring
hidden behind the wallpaper,
a dusty, hollow compartment
clicked open right before his
eyes.
There sat the missing silver
music box, its delicate gears
gleaming under his flashlight.
He wound the tiny crank,
and a sweet, haunting melody
filled the cold room, providing
the songbird was finally caught.
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
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
