Home » Poems » Tim Smith » The Last Bell Tolls

The Last Bell Tolls

Misty eyed and weary over the gallows I blow daunting a mere string in tow last school bells rung but the hallowed halls still call Scuff marks mark my sentence tough times as seconds slowly ticked by pure white first day memories when fresh minds mattered puddles and mud stained canvas darkness haunts to this very day running ladders locked away weekends didn't matter Used and abused a fresh life awaits up high I fly

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Skat A

Date: 9/16/2016 9:37:00 AM

Tim, Congratulations on your awesome win. Stop by my blog "SEIZE THE DAY." Celebrate with me. WUV **SKAT**

Timothy Hicks

Date: 9/3/2016 9:45:00 PM

I must be a bit dense, but it wasn't until I read the comments that I finally said, "A-ha! I get it now!" Lol. Once you can see the connections it becomes really creative ... "pure white first days memories when fresh minds mattered" ... excellent phrasing! The shoes hanging on the wire, for me, kinda symbolize the carefree days of school, and the melancholy of those times slipping away ...

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/2/2016 7:56:00 AM

I read comments below to get your meaning, Tim. I always knew it was about school days but I never would have guessed the meaning of the last three lines without reading the comments below!! Sorry. In order to not have to show the picture, you would need to be even more transparent and actually mention the act that landed you (as the shoes) over the telephone wire. For example, say: That last day of school, he flung me off his feet and i flew up in the air to hang here on the wire. THAT's clear!

Tim Smith
Date: 9/2/2016 9:07:00 AM

That is some great advice. I never thought of it that way.

Michael Tor

Date: 9/2/2016 6:57:00 AM

So clever Tim. Hope you are well my friend. Enjoyed reading brought me back to high school.

Tim Smith
Date: 9/2/2016 9:06:00 AM

Thank you Michael...Getting better

Kabuteng P.Ink K.

Date: 9/1/2016 12:15:00 PM

Haha, ok I just had to drop by here after I left my guess in another write of yours and check out the photo! A clue indeed, made me snicker, or should I say sneaker! Well, I hope I am still right with my guess?? Scrolling on comments below, yep, "canvas" made me think that, methinks I got it right, plus the white at the start.

Kabuteng P.Ink K.
Date: 9/1/2016 12:36:00 PM

That sure feels good to know I got it right, yay! And coolio, my Encylopedia Brown/Nate the Great/Nancy Drew reading paid off, haha! Thanks again for this, Tim...it was really fun for me. Sorry I won't be here much starting this month, but I'm sure you'll get good answers from your challenges (maybe when I do pass by, I can try to guess again)...I tried something like this before and it was really fascinating to read how others interpreted my poem from before-- only goes to show how truly one's own poem Grows once you put it out there for others to read, has a life of its own.

Tim Smith
Date: 9/1/2016 12:27:00 PM

Yes you got it right...hooray...I will have to think some more and put up another challenge. By the way you were the only one to get the right answer. I did have a kite answer, some about school and bullying and one thought it was about my meds..lol...Thanks for stopping by.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 9/1/2016 4:54:00 AM

The picture makes all the difference..I was wondering what was personified here:) Thought provoking indeed, Tim:)

Tim Smith
Date: 9/1/2016 10:11:00 AM

Thanks you Jo.

Tom Arnone

Date: 8/31/2016 3:19:00 PM

What a waste of good sneakers. There are barefoot peoples from lands ignorant of this soft and supple covering who would sell their children for such advanced footwear. Mr. Tim, cut those sneakers down! ;-)

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 3:22:00 PM

It is a shame Tom. I do see many of them hanging throughout our city. I do donate mine to charity along with my used clothing.

John Hamilton

Date: 8/31/2016 2:08:00 PM

Picture helps, I thought it was some school shooting or something, that's one good thing about poetry the author always knows what it's about, and it's his choice to give the readers enough clues, or not, to figure it out. Maybe I'm slow but I think you would have had to spell this one out for me.

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 2:58:00 PM

Thanks John. I love to see what the reader gets out of a poem. It does make me happy when I know they can relate to a message or feeling.

Eve Roper

Date: 8/31/2016 1:42:00 PM

got it now, :)

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 1:45:00 PM

Thanks for stopping back Eve : )

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/31/2016 12:40:00 PM

That photo means everyone shoeld be able to guess now!!!

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 12:50:00 PM

Yes they shoeld...lol...Im surprised no one picked up on the locked away weekends or running ladders ( I hated that in gym class)...even the material it was made out of( canvas) and pure white first day

Anthony Mark

Date: 8/31/2016 11:06:00 AM

Feels like a last day at junior school and the fear of the senior school, ...very well written, and doesn't need a definitive answer, it's different for you and a lot more thought provoking....well done Tim.....Ian

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 11:51:00 AM

Thanks Ian. I appreciate you visit.

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 8/31/2016 8:28:00 AM

A haunted write my friend. That -scuff marks- line, what a ripper.

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:09:00 AM

Thanks Scott

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/31/2016 12:49:00 AM

I hope nobody have to experience such a situation...First fresh days have to be only the beginning of something better to follow...No matter if its in school, in marriage, in a new place...Anywhere. Great write Tim..As a parent Im always eyes wide open how Christina copes at school, so her dad..When She grows up I remain the same.Following.from a distance.

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 4:32:00 PM

Thanks for coming back. I do love your thoughts on schooling. I have the concerns myself. Especially with my Nathan. He is so smart he becomes lazy at times. I donate mine if there is still life left in them or many times they turn into my gardening shoes. The kids we exchange with relatives because as you stated they grow out of them so quick.

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 8/31/2016 4:14:00 PM

Im sorry I got it all.wrong...Many times I start reading from top to bottom..But thinking from bottom to top.: ).First I saw used and abused...So abuse bulb lit on : ).I didnt see the form 'Personification'..sonI was completely thinking Human....Even shoes have their fortune indeed. I do give away Christina's shoes away to my cousin's daughter..because she grows out of them to quick..Mine I throw in the bin, ofcourse because when I throw them away, they have been used enough...: )..

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:09:00 AM

Yes we need to be on top of what the kids are doing. The great thing with technology you can see daily the progress they are making in school. You can tell if an assignment was missed or not comprehended by your child and it gives you a chance to head off any problems...I posted a pic to add to the meaning in my little poem.

Viv Wigley

Date: 8/31/2016 12:30:00 AM

...how often is such a story told, Tim. At least some release to the end. A strong write, enjoyed. Regards, Viv

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:06:00 AM

I don't believe this personification hasn't been written before. If you look at the visual it might help

Janice Canerdy

Date: 8/30/2016 10:48:00 PM

A 7 for this thought-provoking piece on endings and beginnings. Janice

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:04:00 AM

Thanks Janice

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/30/2016 9:21:00 PM

This poem is like an onion, many layers, I even see well a touch of Alice Cooper in this!! :)

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:04:00 AM

Thanks Arthur

John Hamilton

Date: 8/30/2016 8:35:00 PM

Was such a tragedy Tim nicely hidden messages, school will never be the same again!

Tim Smith
Date: 8/31/2016 9:04:00 AM

Thanks John...I put a picture to help

Eve Roper

Date: 8/30/2016 6:38:00 PM

I love the description of the hall ways of the school so very true . Hugs Eve

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 6:41:00 PM

Thanks Eve...great to see you...hope things are well down in Texas

Jan Allison

Date: 8/30/2016 5:20:00 PM

Very deep Tim so different from your usual romantic writes:-) hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 8/31/2016 10:46:00 AM

Originally I thought it was about a kite ... but now you have put the pic I see the hidden meaning:-) hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 5:27:00 PM

Thanks Jan...there is some hidden meaning if you can find it.

Sara Chansarkar

Date: 8/30/2016 4:54:00 PM

A fresh life starts-is so beautiful!Nice one Time!

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 5:03:00 PM

Thanks Sara

Sara Chansarkar
Date: 8/30/2016 4:54:00 PM

Sorry Tim not Time:)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/30/2016 3:09:00 PM

Deep and beautiful writing, my friend.

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 5:03:00 PM

Thank you so much Andrea

Gail Foster

Date: 8/30/2016 2:47:00 PM

There are some lovely phrases in this

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 3:06:00 PM

Thank you Gail

Nilima Deb

Date: 8/30/2016 2:25:00 PM

lovely poem dear poet !

Tim Smith
Date: 8/30/2016 2:31:00 PM

Thank you Nilima for your nice comment. They are hard to come by lately. Must be a busier world we live in these days. Not many have time to stop smell the roses and chat with their neighbor.