The Time Thief

The Time Thief . . . Clocks were ticking in the museum of time Quarterly - half-hourly and hourly chimes Then just for a moment - time stood still Clocks stood idle as if by an unearthly will Dogs stopped barking - birds did not sing And in the air - a silence did upon us cling Town folk stopped to wonder on the why As to newborn babies that failed their cry Then one by one each clock started to tick As each key was turned with a timely click The presence of life was again felt in relief As gone was the moment of the time thief Indiana Shaw . . .