The Water
Clock
for J.
I will construct
for you
Out of the
words I think
Will work
best this clock
Whose running depends
upon
A steady
flow we shall call
The imagination
at work.
You need not be
alarmed.
You will
not be consumed
In a whirlpool
of speech.
This clock is scheduled
By the simplest
means,
A hole sized
just so,
No bigger no smaller
Than that
which the ink
Of this pen
runs through.
Only what truly
matters
Will be given
clearance,
And this
you may compose
Into whatever shapes
Will bring
you nearer
To what you
wish reached.
Do not think this
comes
Without you
pledging faith.
You must
be prepared.
A level must be
reached
Before the
fulcrum slips,
And the hour
is chimed
In so clear a pitch
You will
think such sounds
Are made
in heaven.
There is no beguiling
This level,
not even
With mimicry
of form.
You may pretend
noon
But a shadow
spreads
From where
you stand.
And besides, be warned,
The horsemen will know
And will stay unmoved.
- from Doctor
Honoris Causa, Anvil Press Poetry, 1993