Watch, or: Don’t

It is my Papa's watch
Now it is not his watch
I did not use to wear a watch
And now again I wear no watch
But I did

Chronos notches Aion's 
Endless hours and minutes
Did his scythe cut Kairos down?
Blind hands feel for 
Fate's flinty face
To finitude they're now attuned
Though it's been said time heals all wounds
Blind hands feel for Fate's flinty face

There's a truth I'd so like to share
With the folks who haven't been there
I knew not pain, but then it came and named me heir
So perhaps you will find me
Spinning clockwise endlessly
I've bared my wrist, 
But found naught there to set me free
I've tried but cannot unknow
The fleetingness of this grand show... 
Although, although... 
Although... 
Although...

Chronos notches Aion's 
Endless hours and minutes
Did his scythe cut Kairos down?
Blind hands feel for 
Fate's flinty face
To finitude they're now attuned
Though it's been said time heals all wounds
Blind hands feel for Fate's flinty face

It is my Papa's watch
Now it is not his watch
I did not use to wear a watch
And now again I wear no watch
But I did

Through my mind's eye I can see
Ancient venerable ancestry
That lived and died as Jews 
So that some day I could be free
A generation stands now (mine)
By merest chance or grand design
Through all those ages tryin', 
Our destinies yet intertwined
Today his watch face is looking at me-
Eternity could never be

Chronos notches Aion's endless hours and minutes
Did his scythe cut Kairos down?
Blind hands feel for 
Fate's flinty face
To finitude they're now attuned
Though it's been said time heals all wounds
Blind hands feel for Fate's flinty face

43 thoughts on “Watch, or: Don’t”

1. The whole poem seems like a single metaphor for a limited human brain trying to understand what time is. Very Inception-esque.

   1. 💝 Alexandra 💝

2. So beautiful, David. Touched the heart. So many layers of emotions. 🙂

   1. 💝 Terveen 💝

3. Such bittersweet memories so beautifully captured. Time moves on but the watch you have brings it back again. Hugs, David. ❤️

   1. 😍⌚ Punam 😍⌚

4. It is interesting, how items that once belonged to someone, somehow always seem to belong to that person. Wonderful poem – the watch triggers such profound thoughts.

   1. ❤ ❤ Marion ❤ ❤ ~ thanks so much! I totally agree with you…

5. This is a masterpiece David
   Wrestling with time and grief

   Their precious belongings they left behind in those moments and in particular the moments of special times, when the ocassions arise we polish blinded by tears also recalling those flinty stares.

   You shone a warm glow on time.

   1. 💟🙏🏻 Abi 🙏🏻💟

6. A sophisticated and personal piece. Creative crafting from your heart. Nice work, David! 👏🏻 I remember a moving post you wrote a while back about your dad’s watch.

   1. 🧡⌚ Michele 🧡⌚

7. I know you are enamored of the micropoetry and the shorter forms. But really this is magnificent! You have a masterpiece…

   1. 😁💘 Muri 😁💘

      1. Chronos notches Aion’s
         There is a discourse regarding the spelling so now i just read tha
         It’s spelled Κρόνος😊

         Still what does it mean, is it the study of time over eons…

         Let me continue reading. I can’t believe you wrote it 1.5 years ago, surely i was around.
         All the same let me jump onto it before time catches me

         1. 💙🫂 Abi 💙🫂

            1. I’m so enthralled how you handle the blues set in time.