THE PALE ROAD

 I like to hear the sound of our clock in the night. It’s a great comfort when you can’t
sleep to hear the unconcerned ticking. There used to be a brilliant clock in Dundee
which had, I think, nursery rhyme characters that came out and performed on each
chime. We would go and watch it until the hours made us move on. I haven’t seen or
heard this particular clock in years but it was so colourful and friendly. We collected
clocks once and they still live all over the house, some still ticking, some chiming,
some cherished.

  THE PALE ROAD

The house is quiet, silent,
Except for the ticking of the big clock
At the bottom of the stairs,
Whose chimes keep company
With those who cannot sleep.

Just before dawn,
A thin moon slides in through the window
And in a moment those awake
Walk the pale road of remembrance,
Of longing, until the past
Becomes the pale road of prayer.

Let the clock chime again,
That the past may be left behind,
The moon soothe the restless heart,
The whispered words bring peace.

                      ©2021 Gwen Grant.  

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20 thoughts on “THE PALE ROAD

  1. Lovely, Gwen! I experienced something similar tonight listening to, weirdly, the sound of our dishwasher. There is a comfort in the monotonous persistent sounds of our environment that I think is underrated. Perhaps, we long for the drum. ❤️

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  2. That clock in Dundee sounds nice and fun to watch. I have not seen a clock like that.

    A couple if clocks that fascinate me, was one in Sutton Idlewells shopping centre, which celebrated the coal mining. I do remember though later there were issues it not working well. So I would keep looking each time I was by to see if it was working again. Although I have no connection to the area, but live not far away, I couldn’t say if this clock still works or not at the top of the clock.

    The other clock I like is at Nottingham Victoria Centre.

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  3. There used to be lots of lovely public clocks around when I was young – not so much now but I’m glad you’ve got your two clocks. Glad you liked the poem.
    Gwen,

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