Tick-tock tick-tock a wooden hand
It marks the seconds commands the sand
A pulse of time precise and clear
A clockwork heart that all can hear.
It counts the spaces lines the bars
A pendulum beneath the stars
In every beat a silent vow
To keep the pace to teach the now.
Tick-tock tick-tock it sways with grace
An endless dance a measured pace
For every note it calls it guides
Through steady tempos smooth as tides.
It holds the song within its hold
From nimble youth to notes grown old
A guardian of rhythm’s sway
The metronome both night and day.
Tick-tock tick-tock it hums alone
A quiet guide carved out of stone
And though it stands without a sound
It moves us all the world around.
Apple Beth
The heart's silent tremor before it breaks
The shadows left by each choice it makes;
A whispered doubt a fleeting thrill
The soul alone can hold them still.
Moments unlived in quiet repose
The dreams abandoned when sorrow rose
The nights adrift on a restless tide
Where truths of the heart and fear collide
The questions lingered left unasked
The wounds endured beneath the mask;
For eyes may see but not reveal
The edges softened only to heal.
These are the pieces no song will sing
Nor tales recount nor poets bring;
They live in silence deep and wide
In the soul’s vast sea they ebb and hide.
Little stars they land like light
New souls upon our shores
With eyes that hold the world's first dawn
And futures yet explored.
They dance where dreams are just begun
Each step a spark anew
And as they learn to shape their worlds
Our own world broadens too.
They ask us why the sky is blue
Or how a seedling grows
And through their questions wondrous things
Return to what we know.
For every laugh and every tear
They bring with open hearts
They teach us joy they teach us love
A thousand treasured arts.
So lucky are we stewards here
Of each bright soul we meet--
To share this earth to share this life
With hearts so wild and sweet.
In every child the world finds hope
New paths a rising sun.
They leave their mark like stars above
Bright constellations spun.