Famous Poems about Clock: Celebrating the Passage of Time

Poetry has always been a captivating medium to explore the human experience and our relationship with time. It is a realm where poets skillfully weave words together to create profound and thought-provoking works. Throughout history, the ticking of a clock has often served as a powerful symbol, representing the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will delve into some famous poems that beautifully capture the essence of the clock in various ways.

"The Old Clock on the Stairs" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

One of the most renowned poems featuring a clock is "The Old Clock on the Stairs" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In this melancholic piece, Longfellow muses upon the ticking of a clock and its association with the inevitable march of time. The clock becomes a poignant reminder of the passing years and the transience of life. Here is an excerpt from the poem:

"A feeling of sadness and longing,
That is not akin to pain,
And resembles sorrow only
As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
And banish the thoughts of day.

Not from the grand old masters,
Not from the bards sublime,
Whose distant footsteps echo
Through the corridors of Time.

For, like strains of martial music,
Their mighty thoughts suggest
Life's endless toil and endeavor;
And to-night I long for rest.

Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gushed from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start;

Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.

Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice,
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away."

"Clocks" by W.H. Auden

W.H. Auden, a renowned poet of the 20th century, also explored the theme of clocks in his poem aptly titled "Clocks." In this piece, Auden contemplates the nature of time and how it governs our lives. The ticking of a clock becomes a metaphor for the relentless passage of time, urging us to seize every fleeting moment. Here are a few lines from the poem:

"Clocks cannot tell our time of day
For what event to pray
Because we have no time, because
We have no time until

We know what time we fill,
Why time is other than Now,
We sense but cannot know.

The ancient clocks with farmyard chimes
Still dream of the dead king
But clockless lovers, whom the hour
Goes unrecorded, lie
A little longer; see
Love loves to lie and die."

"Clocks" by Carl Sandburg

Another noteworthy poem that explores the symbolism of clocks is "Clocks" by Carl Sandburg. In this brief yet compelling piece, Sandburg reflects on the multifaceted nature of time. The clock becomes a symbol of order and routine, yet it also represents the abstract concept of time slipping away. Here is an excerpt from the poem:

"Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life."

"The clock is a mechanical means of helping us to get through this mess of a day, of tearing off past calendar pages and remembering birthdays of forgotten people and appointments with forgotten people a long time ago... clocks are watches wound up tight, grandfather clocks and alarm clocks... timepieces, the tick-tock time-wasting machines we all carry on our wrists and hang on the walls of our homes and keep on the dashboard of our cars..."

These poems demonstrate the profound impact a clock can have on the human psyche. From Longfellow's melancholic musings to Auden's contemplation of time's passage and Sandburg's reflections on the nature of clocks themselves, each poem offers a unique perspective on the symbolism of the clock. As readers, we are reminded to cherish each moment, for time is a precious commodity that waits for no one.