If There's Time by Donal Mahoney

It’s an old clock

hanging on a wall

in a small room 

on the third floor.

We go up there 

four times a year 

exchanging clothes

to mark the arrival 

of another season. 

Not much else in there 

except my wife’s vases 

and our yearbooks from 

the Fifties and some 

good novels we hope 

to read some day

if there’s time.

Once a year

the clock stops

and I bring up 

a new battery.

But not this year.

I told the clock don't move.

Stay right there 

and we’ll stay with you.

Donal Mahoney has had work published in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of his work can be found at http://eyeonlifemag.com/the-poetry-locksmith/donal-mahoney-poet.html.