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. This is beautiful David. ❤

   1. 💕 thanks, LaDonna 💕

      1. 💗💗

2. This is absolutely beautiful, David, and it is bittersweet tinged with memories and ancestral history (also entwined with its own memories and how that would be in one’s own blood too). It is powerful and evocative. Just amazing, it leaves me speechless with the figurative imagery and some of the matter-of-fact lines. It hits and it is an emotional read.

   1. ✨🙏🏻✨ Lucy ✨🙏🏻✨

3. What an interesting collaboration of thought an imagery, David. The watch adds a great dimension to your poem. Well done.

   1. 💚 Dwight 💚

4. the rhythm of time (K)

   1. ⏳ Kerfe ⌛

5. I agree with the above comment. “I knew not pain, but then it came and named me heir”….powerful, the responsibility of an heir.💝

   1. 💜 Mary 💜 ~ thanks

6. This is special, what’s the time Mr wolf?

   1. 😍 Andrew 😍

7. Powerful and beautiful throughout!

   1. 💞 Pragalbha 💞

8. This is a very touching poem, David… my favorite lines are:
   “‘Ive tried but cannot unknow
   The fleetingness of this grand show…
   Although, although…
   Although…
   Although…”
   Wonderful❤️🦋❤️

   1. 🥰 shukran, Karima 🥰

      1. Afwan Daud🌹

9. Time may not heal, but it goes on, whether we’re despairing or not. 💙

   1. 💟🤍 Merril 💟🤍

10. How lucky for you to have this heirloom. Such an amazing poem and I love this part:

    Today his watch face is looking at me-

    1. ❤️💛 Grace ❤️💛

11. This has so many layers, I love what you did starting from that watch. I have a few from my father but they would need fixing before they would work…

    1. 🧡 Björn 🧡

12. Powerful work, David. Many phrases caught me but this one stands out, “I knew not pain, but then it came and named me heir”
    Yes, yes, yes. Solid work.

    1. 💕 thanks, Janis 💕