Long-case clock made by Richard Bullock, Clockmaker of Ellesmere c1750
THE GRANDFATHER CLOCK
Proudly tall with its back to the wall
Afforded life by the winding key;
Faithfully showing the time to us all,
Having been here longer than me.
Ticking away over two hundred years,
Generations have looked on its face;
In those moments of joy fear and tears,
Here in its chosen place.
Venerated and old before Waterloo,
Of oak, spindle and brass it was born;
By the hand of the Maestro, skilled and true,
To measure each day from the morn.
Left and right the pendulum swings
A slave to gravitational power;
Calibration ensures the bell always rings,
To count out the daily hour.
Endeavours are sure to feature and fade,
But it will tick on as before;
The passing pageant of life on parade
Onward through history’s door.
Monty Alexander 21.5.2020