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The Clock
It stands on the sideboard,
at number 43.
in the small terraced house,
where together with Joan,
he raised a family.
Presented to Edward William Dunn,
the inscription says.
Known throughout his life,
simply as Ted.
For 50 years Loyal Service,
to Marshall and Son.
Down past the corner shop,
at the end of the road,
there was the factory.
Where back in 1955,
as a young lad,
Ted had started his life,
working twelve hours a day,
walking to work,
in the wind and the rain.
Making ball-bearings for,
Marshall and Son,
for four pounds a week.
Still Ted and Joan managed,
to have fun,
a week in Blackpool,
every year.
Raised three children,
the occasional beer,
down at his local,
The Old Greyhound Inn.
Up early next morning,
sandwiches and a flask,
of hot tea,
that Joan had made him,
it would have to last,
the twelve hour shift,
then home for a laugh.
On Saturday night,
a hot weekly bath.
Those days,
are gone,
the factory is closed.
Joan is dead,
the children left home,
and now they have children,
of their own.
Ted still buys a newspaper,
at the corner shop,
sits in the pub,
and has a pint or two.
Then back to number 43.
Where the clock on the sideboard,
ticks away the time,
the inscription that reads,
Presented to Edward William Dunn,
For 50 years Loyal Service.
That's all.
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