The Tie That Binds
Within my hand lies the gift of time,
from your father to you, and now to me.
When I pass it on, this pocket watch
will hold the lives of three generations.
A simple watch. So thought the jeweler.
“I can clean it, but it’s probably not worth
repairing. It’s only seven jewels.”
But it keeps time, and it continues to hold time.
Its true value lies in those three generations.
The “chain” is a testament to that,
made by the hands that first held it.
A simple black shoelace for a simple watch.
My grandfather’s pocket watch was handed down to my father, and then to me.
It’s fitting that this working man’s watch made in 1898 hangs from a worn black shoelace.
(Research shows that it has 15 jewels.)
The prompt for Day 20 of National/Global Poetry Month at napowrimo.net
is to write a poem about a homemade or handmade gift you received.
rivrvlogr 
Beautifully stated sentiments. A lovely legacy of time. 👍
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🙂 Thank you, Suzette.
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this is a great and masculine poem. clearly so much more than a watch. thanks ken!
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Thank you, Michael.
Two sons, and their choice when I’m gone. This pocket watch, and a grandfather clock I made for my parents. Either way, they both get to share that time.
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A poem that seems simple on the surface, but gets deeper as it keeps its time.
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Thank you, Daniel. 🙂
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Some “old things” are treasures … fantastic portrait in your lines. Love the shoelace part.
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Thank you, Jazz. Yes, the shoelace seems like a story in itself.
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I think I just fell in love with an object I’ve never seen…
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Thank you!
Here’s a photo (without the shoelace) from another poem:
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That’s SO beautiful!
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It continues to hold time…that line says it all. (K)
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🙂 Thank you.
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I love the shoelace and that it continues to hold time. The surface looks like it has also been brushed by the fingertips of time.
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I like to think about how something so simple can have such complexity.
Thank you, Merril.
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