Computer rendering of an 18th century watchmaker's studio‘The Clockmaker’ by Benjamin Daniel Lukey The Society February 8, 2019 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Readings 7 Comments https://classicalpoets.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Clockmaker-SCP.mp3 When I was young, I’d disassemble clocks So I could understand what made them go. With tools in hand, and pieces in a box, I’d wonder, and I’d look, and then I’d know. But lacking tools to take myself apart, I understand myself through what I’m told, And one friend told me I am young at heart— Another said my soul is very old. If I can trust them both (I think I can), Then I have been—repaired, or else restored. Is it sometimes the lot of broken man To go back to the workshop of the Lord? __Some say that Great Clockmaker stands aloof, __But I know otherwise—and I’m the proof! Benjamin Daniel Lukey was born in 1986. He has lived all over the Eastern United States and currently resides near Charlotte, North Carolina. He teaches high school English classes whenever he is not fishing or writing poetry. His work has previously appeared in Edify Fiction and The Mystic Blue Review. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 7 Responses Alan Sugar February 20, 2019 Dear Benjamin, Thank you for this absolutely beautiful poem. I’ll set my watch by this! Reply Martin Rizley February 21, 2019 Very beautiful poem– lyrical, accessible, rhythmically strong, original in concept, and with a natural “flow” that invites recitation. Thanks for sharing it. Reply David Hollywood February 21, 2019 A wonderfully wise poem.Many thanks Reply Andrew McDiarmid February 21, 2019 Benjamin, I appreciate this poem and its sentiment. You capture the natural flow of a sonnet – as well as language that compliments the style – well! Makes me want to write more sonnets! Reply Monty February 23, 2019 There’s a lot I’d like to say about the above piece, Ben; but I feel content to just refer to Mr Rizley’s informed appraisal above . . which conveys all the praiseworthy aspects of the poem (especially the “original in concept” bit). He took the words right out of my mouth! Anyone can attempt to use metaphors; but the way in which you’ve weaved the ‘clock’ into a ‘human condition’ is high-class . . and I feel it’s the ultimate in the poetic use of metaphors. Reply Amy Foreman March 4, 2019 What a wonderful poem, Benjamin! Reply Monika Cooper September 22, 2023 This is exquisite and wonderfully universal, plainspoken but impeccably crafted. It’s like you uncovered one of the primary poems of our language, this late in time. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Alan Sugar February 20, 2019 Dear Benjamin, Thank you for this absolutely beautiful poem. I’ll set my watch by this! Reply
Martin Rizley February 21, 2019 Very beautiful poem– lyrical, accessible, rhythmically strong, original in concept, and with a natural “flow” that invites recitation. Thanks for sharing it. Reply
Andrew McDiarmid February 21, 2019 Benjamin, I appreciate this poem and its sentiment. You capture the natural flow of a sonnet – as well as language that compliments the style – well! Makes me want to write more sonnets! Reply
Monty February 23, 2019 There’s a lot I’d like to say about the above piece, Ben; but I feel content to just refer to Mr Rizley’s informed appraisal above . . which conveys all the praiseworthy aspects of the poem (especially the “original in concept” bit). He took the words right out of my mouth! Anyone can attempt to use metaphors; but the way in which you’ve weaved the ‘clock’ into a ‘human condition’ is high-class . . and I feel it’s the ultimate in the poetic use of metaphors. Reply
Monika Cooper September 22, 2023 This is exquisite and wonderfully universal, plainspoken but impeccably crafted. It’s like you uncovered one of the primary poems of our language, this late in time. Reply
