A small cog in a large machine
until his chance discovery:
the world he lived in - Earth - was clockwork too.
And if the Earth, perhaps the universe...
and he, a watchmaker by trade,
had never even guessed the fact!
Somewhere its works must broach the surface of
the earth. Or at the very least, come close.
His knowledge and his nose in harness tracked
it down. He laid the mechanism bare.
What tales he now could tell the world!
He'd be a grand celebrity for sure!
Once he had sussed out all the clockwork secrets
of the Earth he'd have it in his gift to tell
the world when earthquakes would erupt,
when storms would sweep the tropics
and floods descend on areas of drought.
He would be Prophet. King. Messiah. Seer.
Perhaps he'd even change the course on which
the universe was set. He had the key, he knew
how to reset the mechanism. He did so
in the depths of night. Away from prying eyes
he tuned and then fine tuned the Earth - and
inadvertently set course for early Armageddon.
I have linked this to this week's Magpie Tales prompt, but Blogger still will not let me upload my image, so I am afraid you will have to follow the link to see the picture.
Yippee! Belatedly, and thanks to Daydreamer Too I have managed to upload the image. (Not "managed to", with the greatest of ease. Thank you Daydreamer Too!)
Isn't it scary if someone irresponsible knows the secret of the world's clockwork? Great take on the image. Sorry that you can't upload the image!
ReplyDeleteWhat browser do you use? Sherry was having problems with Blogger and I suggested she should try Chrome. Now it all works for her. I wonder because Google owns both, whether it's designed to work best with their own browser.
ReplyDeleteYes, we did think on the same lines. :)
Wow, the ending gave me a chill, Dave. Sometimes it does seem we all edge closer and closer to Armageddon. Hope someone changes the clockwork again before....
ReplyDeleteAh, that seems to be our fate. Always a pleasure to read your work David.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous response to the prompt. Well done! I can see this happening . . .
ReplyDeleteand this is what happens when we muck and muck...scientist for years have talked of finding the god particle...and i wont claim to understand it but i imagine if we find something like that or what i assume it might be i find little good in it...
ReplyDeleteI am with Brian on that....he took the words right out of my mouth. An amazing response to the prompt Dave!! :-)
ReplyDeletei like the part about changing the course of the universe
ReplyDelete"Once he had sussed out all the clockwork secrets
ReplyDeleteof the Earth he'd have it in his gift to tell
the world when earthquakes would erupt,"
Love this line. Give an image of a mysterious something privy to all the secrets.
His knowledge and his nose...I love that...always a treat Dave...
ReplyDelete'sussing out the clockwork secrets' .. magical, mysterious thinking. This is amazing Dave.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome Dave. Had a feeling as it was blogger and Google owns it all, that it was your browser not working. Glad to have helped :) It does help to have the pics if they are the prompts somewhat eh! LOLOL
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the idea of there being a watchmaker resetting the mechanism. It makes it seem possible to negoiate with him. Trying to convince him that we are worthy for avoiding an early Armageddon. Making him be extra careful not to set the course just yet...
ReplyDeleteThe poem grows and grows towards its final line which has a stunning force. David...it vividly brings to my mind the unforgettable song written in the early 80's by Dylan "Jokerman" from the album "Infidels".
ReplyDeleteTerry Pratchett has commented on this instinct of man--if a button says 'don't touch--end of world' how long before someone tries it out!?
ReplyDeleteGlad you figured out about pictures.
K.
Well this is a chilling tale! But you told it quite well - I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, as usual, Dave.
ReplyDeleteWhat power that would be to hold the key to life and death :-).
ReplyDeleteA great one but very depressing.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever read the Ray Bradbury story about the baby who developed enormous powers? :D
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha mwaaah mooowaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, mwaaaah !
ReplyDeleteWell done. Hmmm,
ReplyDelete...a key that fine tunes
and fine tunes
to oblivion.
Kind of like the internet.
I like how the story of your poem, ticks away in the clock maker's brain, idea by idea and each line in your poem representing an hour... and on the 24th line comes the early Armageddon. Wonderful mathematical construction, Dave. In the tradition of all the great writers of time, it is a doomsday tale too, though 'inadvertently'. I enjoyed this very much, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen we discover all the secrets. If the world still stands we will learn there are other secrets and magics the world could not show us until we were ready.
ReplyDeleteI do believe even the best of intentions will eventually lead to so much damage to our mother earth she will one day slough us off and start anew after a long resting period when time will be lost out of memory.
his nose in harness ?!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! LOL
Hi Mr Dave,lovely post,keep it up.
ReplyDeleteA Walk in My Heart
ReplyDeleteScary if they know or think they know!
Kat
Thank you very much for these really kind words.
Daydreamertoo
Thanks again. Very much appreciated.
Mary
I think the spring will give out before we get there...
Other Mary
Thank you - and a pleasure to have your comments.
jabblog
MMmmm, a bit scary that. Much thanks.
Brian
Regrettably, I fear you may be correct. Even the search seems fraught with danger, never mind actually succeeding!
Carrie
Thank you so much. really good to have your feedback.
zongrik
Many thanks for this. Such an interesting comeback is always good to have.
Rachna
Yes, it seems to me that such secret knowledge has driven many, from the wise men of ancients, to the mystics and seers, to the secret Christian sects, to many that flourish today.
Tess
Thanks. I'm delighted you picked out that line!
Helen
Thank you so much for saying this.
Kristen
I like your take on it, and - yes, I think I agree with you! Thanks.
Tommaso
Wow, that's some compliment! I do remember "Jokerman", though not very well. I must track it down again. Thanks for this.
Manicddaily
A modern version of the apple, almost. (Not the computer, the garden apple!)
All I needed to do for the pics was change browsers - which daydreamertoo put me on to.
The Bug
Much thanks for this. Good to have you visiting.
Doctor FTSE
Thanks. Very much appreciated.
Windsmoke
Precisely. The Holy Grail for many.
Cait
Thanks - and oh! I didn't intend it to be depressing. I seem to have underestimated the effect of that final line.
Jenny
I do believe I've heard the story spoken of, but, no, I never did read it. Maybe I should search it out. Thanks for the tip.
Kutamun
Scraaaaagalashp orithank!
Kass
Well, now you mention it... very much like the internet.
Linda
This is such a brilliant response. If ever I do get to publish a book I'll give you first refusal of being my publicist. Thanks so much for this.
Carl
I am absolutely sure about you first para, and fear your second may prove prophetic too.
Jinksy
Thanks for saying. Much appreciated.
sunny
Thanks. Shall certainly try to do so.
Dear Dave: Enjoyed this poem's science fiction, man-against-the-machine stance; very bold and brilliant~!
ReplyDeleteTerribly frightening to think that one person might hold the key. Excellent and provocative read.
ReplyDelete