Time

"Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind."
                                           Nathaniel Hawthorne



I sneer at grandfather clock, standing in the hall,
listening as his ticking, leaves my anger spent.
I long to bind his hands and make time crawl,
and if that's considered a sin, I will never repent.

His old brass pendulum swings much too fast,
like a gossip, repeatedly wagging his tongue.
Oh, how I would love to make him gong his last
so I'd have eternal peace when his bell is wrung.

His infinite chime persists at the top of each hour
and in that moment I feel recurring pain.
I must get past the relentless echo of his power.
Headaches from his hammering drive me insane! 

Not in the present, but I swear that one day soon
I'll find a way to remove his pulley and chains.
No longer will he gambol that annoying tune,
a cadenced rhythm in redundant refrain.



Time - 8 Word Challenge
Sponsored by A Dear Heart
Posted on July 3, 2020

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 7/8/2020 6:32:00 AM
An absolutely wonderful poem!! Congratulations
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/9/2020 7:03:00 PM
Thank you very much, Mark.
Date: 7/7/2020 4:37:00 PM
Jenna, congratulations on your win in my time contest, wonderful writing _Constance
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 5:52:00 PM
I appreciate the consideration you've shown my poetry. Thank you, Constance.
Date: 7/7/2020 2:09:00 PM
Your beautiful words reflect the heartfelt emotions behind this muse Jenna. Congratulations on your win! :) Much love!
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 5:52:00 PM
Thanks so much for your generous remarks, Aditi.
Date: 7/7/2020 8:01:00 AM
A fleeting moment is gone forever...only the echo remains...Congrats!! on the win Jenna...awesome write my friend...^WW^ :o)
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 5:51:00 PM
I hear the echo of your wings as you fly. Thanks for the congrats, Warrior.
Date: 7/7/2020 1:15:00 AM
a cadenced rhythm in redundant refrain.. Wow.. Splendid write Jenna.. Poetry at its best.. A FAVE.. Congrats on your great win..
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 6:53:00 AM
Thank you for the line quoted and for choosing this as a favorite. Jenish-I appreciate that.
Date: 7/6/2020 10:12:00 PM
Great job, and congratulations on your 'time'-lyrics win, Jenna!
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 6:51:00 AM
Thank you for your kind thoughts, John.
Date: 7/6/2020 9:27:00 PM
Back to say congrats on your win, Jenna, I told you not to throw in the towel :) Hugs, John
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/7/2020 6:50:00 AM
Yes, you did, John, and thank you. Although 2nd place after so many ranked as #1 makes it feel like 11th place. Not a complaint, rather an observance of the concept.
Date: 7/5/2020 3:01:00 PM
Ha, ha! Old Father Time just can't win: Some want him to slow down, like you; others want him to speed up, like kids do. It's time to cut him some slack... Great write, Jenna. Kudos, Gershon
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/5/2020 6:09:00 PM
I guess it doesn't matter what we want. Time just keeps doing his thing. lol Thanks a lot, Gershon.
Date: 7/5/2020 2:06:00 PM
It's hard to believe it's already July! It feels like just a week ago we were told to shelter in place. Nice musings on the nature of time, I liked your using the grandfather clock as your totem for time. Also the word 'gambol'. I wish you all the best in the contest ~ John
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/5/2020 6:08:00 PM
You're right, John. Four months seems like 4 weeks. Thank you for liking my take on Time!
Date: 7/4/2020 9:38:00 PM
Oh my!!! Indeed we have all felt this way. Please make Time stand still. There is nothing we can do. Sadly. Just move with the moments. This is so beautifully written and presented. My best to you. :) Brandy
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/5/2020 6:07:00 PM
Thank you for the gracious comments, Brandy.
Date: 7/3/2020 3:35:00 PM
Innovative take on the contest, Jenna--indeed those chimes can sometimes be annoying. You blended the words in this write seamlessly.
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/4/2020 2:43:00 AM
Thank you kindly for visiting and leaving your thoughts, Vijay.
Date: 7/3/2020 1:44:00 PM
My late wife inherited a grandfather clock from her maternal great-great- grandfather and you have described her feelings toward it perfectly! Aloha! Rico
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/4/2020 2:42:00 AM
I guess it takes getting used to, but I can live without the pealing and chiming. Thank you for your comments, Rico.
Date: 7/3/2020 9:05:00 AM
- A wonderful poem - Best wishes in the contest, a winning poem in my eyes Jenna :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/3/2020 9:16:00 AM
Hello Sunshine Smile. What nice greetings and sweet comment. Thank you for both!
Date: 7/3/2020 8:24:00 AM
Wow, you need to chill girl and let the grandfather clock do his thing. I find the rhymical swaying of the pendulum to be somewhat calming. Actually I think this is very well done, Jenna, using the clock to display the theme of your poem. Best of luck in the contest. Hugs, John
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/3/2020 8:39:00 AM
ha ha John. I don't have a grandfather clock, just an imagination of that constant ticking. If it brings you a sense of calm maybe my imagination is off kilter. Thanks for your travels to my page.
Date: 7/3/2020 7:38:00 AM
Great use of the eight words Jenna, well composed, if only we could slow down time. Good luck Tom
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Jenna Logan
Date: 7/3/2020 8:37:00 AM
So true, Tom. I find it moving more quickly since lockdown, and that surprises me. I'm pleased by your comments.
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