All that's yours neatly packed,
all that's mine scattered on the floor;
nothing much to show for a life.
You've taken all that I ever was
and everything that was ever mine.
The life we shared is now buried in a scrapbook
you choose to leave behind.
An act of kindness I thought
but I die when you say history
should be left between its covers
and then I die a little more
when you say he is waiting
outside to take you home.
I run to the window and watch you
vanish into the darkness of the street.
All you leave behind are footsteps
but soon they'll be covered by fresh
and you'll be gone forever from my life.
I plunge into a pit of silence with
no colours but shades of black and grey.
I drink some more wine and stare
at the the rainbow in the palm of my hand.
The road to oblivion beckons
and the clock ticks no more.
Part of the Old Stories cycle of poems
A few words about the poem…
Unveiling the Depths of Loss and Despair | Melancholy Poems
"And the Clock Ticks No More," from the series “Melancholy Poems,” delves into the poignant aftermath of the dissolution of a relationship, portraying the emotional turmoil experienced by the speaker as they grapple with the loss and loneliness.
The poem opens with a stark image of belongings some packed and others scattered, symbolizing the separation and division of shared lives. There is a sense of resignation and bitterness in the realization that there is little to show for the life they once had together. The contrast between what is neatly packed and what is left scattered on the floor underscores the disarray and emotional chaos following the departure of the speaker's partner.
The speaker laments the loss of identity and self that comes with the departure of their loved one, feeling as though they have been stripped of everything they once were. The metaphor of the shared life being buried in a scrapbook, left behind by the departing partner, emphasizes the finality of the separation and the inability to hold onto the past.
Throughout the poem, there is a recurring motif of a ticking clock that serves as a reminder of the inevitable passage of time and the fleeting nature of life and love. As the poem progresses the ticking ceases, signifying a cessation of time and the speaker's descent into a state of emotional numbness and despair.
The speaker's memories of love and companionship are juxtaposed with the emptiness and desolation that follow their partner's departure. The imagery of watching their loved one vanish into the darkness of the street, leaving behind only footsteps soon to be covered by fresh snow, evokes a sense of finality and irrevocable loss.
As the speaker grapples with their emotions, they contemplate the road to oblivion, symbolized by the colours of the rainbow in their palm. The rainbow, typically associated with hope and renewal, takes on a more ominous significance here, suggesting a journey towards an uncertain and bleak future, if there is a future at all.
Ultimately, the poem concludes with a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitable. The cessation of the ticking clock represents the speaker's acceptance of their fate and their readiness to embrace the darkness that lies ahead. It is a poignant portrayal of the profound impact of loss and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in its aftermath.
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