To an Hour Glass/Pocket Watch

P1010272
Originally uploaded by shodoboy.

Old fashioned uncouth measurer of the day,
I love to watch thy filtering burthen pass;
Though some there are that live would bid thee stay,
But these view reasons through a different glass
From him, Time's meter, who addresses thee.
The world has joys which they may deem as such;
The world has wealth to season vanity,
And wealth is theirs to make their vainness much:
But small to do with joys and Fortune's fee
Hath he, Time's chronicler, who welcomes thee.
So jog thou on, through hours of doom'd distress,
So haste thou on the glimpse of hopes to come;
As every sand grain counts a trouble less,
As every drained glass leaves me nearer home.


John Clare