Image: Adapted from Canva Pro
caught in No Man's Land her grandmother clock still ticked time still pestered street names shouted loud in some negotiation as a car backfired gifts must be paid for and four knocks on her back door never brought good luck the times that were faced were ones needing the most time tick, tick, tick, more tick?
Interesting. I had to think about it for a bit. But I guess the creditor like the devil always demands payment eventually.
They always do, Diana. I would think the devil’s interest rates may be on a par with some of the loan sharks operating today. Thanks for taking time to read and leave your thoughts.
I’d never heard of the phrase “getting things on tick”, so I looked it up. Apparently it’s a phrase used in UK. (We Americans are painfully famous for it though.) A thought-provoking warning, especially this time of year. Good one, Davy!
Thanks Alicia. I wasn’t sure when I posted this if the terminology went beyond the UK, so pleased you took time out to look it up. Are there any specific phrases that are used in the USA that describes something similar?
This one has some doom to it! Good poem!
Thanks Priscilla. A reflection on the sharks who used to loiter and haunt many working-class communities in Northen England. I remember them, in my childhood, shifting from door to door.
I hope she doesn’t run out of time. The perils of borrowing. Your poem also reminds of the phrase ‘borrowed time’. I suppose there is no such thing, possibly the unexpected extension of time appears to be borrowed. Time is what it is and it’s not generous or kind. Haha. Thanks for getting the thoughts churning, Davy. 🙂
Thank you, Terveen. I never thought of that connection to borrowed time. Time is probably the greatest gift that can’t be bought with any amount of money. Thank you again for your thoughts.
Powerful poem Davy … and I fear that people are falling into that trap again a lot just now.
You are right, Brenda. This poem was a reflection from fifty years ago and it seems we have come round in a circle. Thank you for your thoughts.