The Iconic Clock

 

The Iconic Clock

The red second hand was sweeping around the analog clock,

It made a soft purring noise, not a loud tick tock,

It was probably 15” in diameter, black casing and white face,

You could see it from down the hall, and probably from outer space,

The government-issued clock is an icon, if you know what I mean,

The numbers were big, bold and black and very easily seen,

It was on every wall in every classroom that I ever had,

And in every office space and public place; it was not a fad,

It was an essential part of my childhood, back in the day,

Always wishing it would move faster so I could go out to play,

And then wishing it would move slower when the test was really hard,

Always wanting to be free to run around the yard,

It indicated when I could go to the cafeteria to eat,

Or when I had to hurry to class and quickly take my seat,

It indicated when I needed to go and catch the bus,

The bell would always ring and wake up my consciousness,

When the long hand got to twelve, and the short hand was on three,

Our school day was over, and we were literally set free,

Free from the big bad clock that ruled us every day,

Now we could go outside and until dark we’d play!

Tammy Harvey

12/13/2024