The clock sat on the mantle place all shining and new.
A wedding present from Aunt Jane, especially for you
The note had said. It was trimmed with burnished gold
And had small hand painted roses all around the face.
They did not have many nice things as they set out in life,
So Aunt Jane’s clock, as it ticked away in joy and strife,
Was always very special, for when visitors came to call
They said how nice the clock was, and her picture on the wall.
It always kept perfect time when it was wound up just once a day,
And dusted down after the fire was lit and the smoke gone away,
Other gifts were long broken, or worn out with constant wear.
But Aunt Jane’s pretty mantle clock always seemed to be there.
Fifty years they had been married, some happy and some sad
And the mantle clock had watched them and almost seemed glad
That it was part of this happy home, although always quite poor.
For everyone who ever came found a welcome at the door.
The couple one day passed away in bed together side by side,
Their eldest daughter found them, her tears she could not hide.
For the first time since they married Aunt Jane’s clock had stopped,
She picked it up gently and then the clock she nearly dropped,
For written on the bottom quite clear in words of pure gold,
Was, I will always go on ticking while there is love to behold.
She wound it up and placed it back with care in it’s usual spot.
And then told all her brothers and sisters of her special plot.
Each in turn would have the clock and hope it would always go,
So that they would be sure that in the home love would always flow.
Aunt Jane’s clock is still ticking in some loving home somewhere,
For As the old clock said it would not stop if love was always there.
Ann Margetson. Jan 25 1997
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