Time

A big clock stood tall in the center of a park

With long hands and wood that was carved with much care

The carvings so detailed yet adding a spark

To the trees that surrounded it's great wood frame there

I noticed and awed at the effort at work

For it's hands seemed to reach out to the skies as they search

And i noticed that the hands were all lined in thick gold

The beauty mesmerizing although it was old

As i came up closer to view the great clock

I noticed a problem which came as a shock

The hands were not moving as they lay still and bear

What a shame as this clock was a beauty standing there

But when i looked down to the base of the clock

I could see a gold glimmer as if writing were there

So with curiosity springing in me i immediately flocked

To it's base were i then read aloud with much flair

"Time is but a moment in the span of a life

And a second only the beginning of a minutes ending strike

And forever only the equal to an eternity's one night

So with care every second use wisely for might

As a second is as precious as a minute of time"

As i read out the words more than once in my mind,

And still trying to grasp what intentions did write

A footstep so faint yet my ears could not lie

Approaching me softly ever slowly behind

And turning around an old man met my eye

A man full of years many a season he did mark

His hair white as snow and his face worn and dry

A worried and troubled reflection from his empty glassy eyes

He then said "The big clock's tick

Many a day i privileged saw

The chime of that bell thick

When a child i would awe

Those days were my young years

My body then strong

A lad who with honest fear

Was taught right and the wrong

My parents had raised me

As best as they could

Love, respect and show kindness

Were the things that were good

Back then i despised men who i'd see in our town

How they ruined their lives so freely

It made me shiver, made me frown

I would then tell myself

That i'd never drink or smoke

Vices would not be on my shelf

That my life was no joke

The years went by and i was eighteen

A boy fresh out of school

The excitement of college awaiting

Freedom from home seemed so cool

So i packed my bags and clothes

And bade my parents goodbye

I was now alone to roam the roads

So excited i felt i could fly

So i then got settled in the big city

And studied my wanted degree

First year passed yet oh so quickly

Time passed with the feeling "im free"

I headed straight home on vacation

My family i now longed to see

And spent those days in anticipation

What could next year have in store for me

Vacation ended even more quickly

I almost couldn't leave

But determined to push through this so sickly

My degree ever my goal to achieve

I then met one lad jason

A schoolmate of the same age

Although he from the city's inner mason

Was someone i readily engaged

He then became my room mate

And that is when it began

Jason was different a drinker

My sleep oft disturbed i did hate

Although he tried to lure me

To try even just one

Yet i so promptly rejected

As my conscience no evil had done

I was taught that evil be feared

But then doubtfull thoughts filled my small mind

Had my parents been too strict and weird?

Was there danger i curiously whined

So i thought and i thought and decided

It won't hurt it's just once i confided

So i drank my first beer

And i puffed my first smoke

Then i tried my first stronger drink

This is great though i thought

Not too bad i revoked

As my conscience now beginning to shrink

So i added another exemption

Saying just a little more's fine

Till the alcohol turned into drugs and addiction

I was now pushing it to the line

I would mock at the holy scriptures

And curse God when drunken or high

I would sometimes try and picture

How cruel my family's lies

A year passing by i still loved it

I free and now unrefined

But my vices eventually my health hit

I was forced then to pause and recline

My body was racked with a fever

And i bound to the bed where i lay

I was sick and now not a believer

I'd forgotten how to pray

My life continued on this way

For years with no restraint

My friends all left but didn't say

Their reason or complaint

I went into depression

My pain and guilt remorse

I needed intervention

Twas time i changed my course

And as i in my darkest hour

Was sinking in despair

My heart's once fresh and lively flowers

Now crushed down burnt and bear

And as i lay in bed that night

For the first time in 3 years

I prayed dear lord please save my life

This pushed me into tears

And while i now was sleeping

I dreamt about that clock

And God as i was still there weeping

Approached me and we talked

He said that life is fragile

That time is not a joke

And day by day time's counting down

Convicted i awoke

And then God said to me what if he

For one day made time still

And on that day i would be free

To clean my life and will

Right then the clock stopped ticking

Long hands eleven lay

I shocked jumped up heart beating

But i just didn't know what to say

Then HE said my child this is your chance now

To redo the wrongs you've done

And the chance now to change as you have vowed

Will soon be late my son

Live your life while imparting life giving

Love to all the poor one's who need love

With your hands now undo evil's giving

And remind of their Father's great love

Feed the poor and be eyes to the blind one

Give your strength to the crippled and the old

Bring the dying man good news of salvation, my son

For in heaven he shall walk streets of gold

As the time will soon end now forever

And your chance for redemption no more

It's the time now for sins to be severed

As heaven's gates soon open their door

Once the clock is at twelve you will know that,

Tis the end and we're now going home

As his words hit my heart i then waited

I would check how much time i had now

But as i fixed my eyes it all slowly faded

And my bed was what pressed on my brow

I awoke realising that i was sleeping

And the dream was my life counting down

And the more that my sins i'm committing

All the more my head won't wear that crown

See the clock was not there just to tell time

But to also guide ones on their way

Like the man who was lost and ran out of line

The clock was placed there as a sign

Today is the day that we must choose

If today is the day that we will start

To change our life and become true

And learn from our mistakes but move on and do our part

And you keep saying to yourself "ah yes tomorrow"

But again you commit the same wrong

We never know how many more days can be borrowed

As the clock keeps its ticking all along

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