Raw Earth Ink
spit, mixed with dirt – muddy words flow
Clockmaker
he’s a clockmaker
his nimble fingers hold a spring here and press a latch there
his sharp eyes envision where the cogs will just miss and an adjustment will need to be made
his quick mind thinks three steps ahead and two moves back
he visualizes what masterpiece will arise from the bits and pieces spread across his workbench
he is meticulous in his speech and in his craft
he’s arrogant though not without good reason
his hands are steady and his mind is brilliant
he takes a work of art and studies it from all angles before carefully deconstructing it piece by piece
when he’s finished it looks completely different and new yet it’s the same only now more beautiful than before
he’s an artist and a worker of miracles
all his artistry is under-appreciated by those who have sat at his knee for years or decades
yet periodically someone walks into his shop and stares with bright-eyed wonder
some time ago a young woman crossed his threshold
she fell in love instantly and couldn’t tear herself away
with stars in her eyes she visited him every day wishing to learn all he knew and who he was and idolized his every word
he held his wing open to her and showed her his craft and lent her his wisdom
her smile was contagious and he never felt happier than when her face was before his
her love was infectious and he felt her growing passion
she hugged him tightly the day she moved away and tears shone in her eyes
he never was able to tell her how much he appreciated her enthusiasm and fresh perspective
she always sighs when she sees a pretty clock hanging or a delicate watch on the wrist of a lovely lady
she loves him more than life itself
she could no longer bear it
sometimes a client walks in and the whiff of lavender slows his hands and he finds himself smiling remembering how her eyes sparkled when she laughed
all his pieces now have a signature teardrop diamond set in beside his flowing signature
his nimble fingers and sharp eyes and quick mind and artist’s heart never told her what she meant to him
he’s a clockmaker
tara caribou | ©️2019
59 Comments on “Clockmaker”
Raw Earth Ink 
Absolutely love this Tara! Well done!
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Thank you Bill. And thanks for taking the time to read my work here and there. I always appreciate your comments.
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My pleasure!!
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What a great post. You are an excellent writer. Keep bringing your creations to life. I enjoy them so much.
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Thanks for stopping by Mary! I do love your comments and support.
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So bittersweet, Tara. There’s nothing worse than a missed opportunity.
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Thank you Rob
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I tend to hyperbole, I know. But this is now, officially, my favorite of your many wonderful pieces.
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That’s wonderful Mike. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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this was one of those i wish i had written. cereally
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Interestingly, when I was re-reading it through making changes, I thought of your writing style at one point.
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Spastic and pedantic? You made the right choice doing it your way?
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Well, however you want to put it: I really like your writing and style and thank you for the kind words.
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Well thank you as well.
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You’re really great Mike.
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sometimes the best romantic stories have unhappy endings.
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That’s very true, Mark
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This is very nice , Tara 😊
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Awww thank you!
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I feel like I can empathize with this clockmaker. 🤔
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Now that IS interesting, AP. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
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Is it? 🤔
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It’s interesting to me, yes. That’s why I said it was.
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Oh yeah, this is really great. By far one of your best.
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That’s really great, River. Thank you for reading.
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You’re welcome.
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Quite bittersweet in its ending
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Thanks Wayne
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Beautifully written. You’re so great at bringing scenes to life. Really enjoyed this!
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Tom, I truly appreciate you reading my writings and for your great comments. Thank you.
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Chills, not just once, doesn’t happen often. Beautiful
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I am honored by your very real response. Thank you for taking the time to not only read but also leave such nice comments. Truly I mean that.
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I really liked this one.
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I’m so very glad you do Jo
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I love the works of “Tara the Capturer”. Very nice. And with a hidden Erotic.
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Interesting take, John. I didn’t think it was erotic at all. I know we all take away different things in artwork, though.
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Loved it.
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I’m so pleased Len. Thank you.
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You told a beautiful story, Tara. Love the tribute you pay to an artist and to the love that appears between him and the woman. Bittersweet verses perfectly woven.
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Thank you so much! I always love seeing your insightful and thoughtful comments.
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My pleasure. You are a very talented poet, so I always enjoy your pieces. I hope you also enjoy my friend Mario’s writing. Sometimes he a way to talk about love and sexual desire that reminds me of yours. I can’t remember right now which chapter from “Pickles and Tarts” is.
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I’ve found it, chapter 3 from “Pickles and Tarts” by Mario Savioni:
“Frank closed his eyes. He pictured Nicole. He wanted to get closer, to smell her mouth, to draw his tongue across her teeth and run his fingers through her hair.” Link to post:
https://savioni.wordpress.com
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I like the way you have written this using a poetic prose. The tale is great – I like the sense of a trade off and how your characters are captivated by his skills.
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Based on someone I know, who is NOT a clockmaker, but a really incredible person. (And no, I am not the “her”)
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Intriguing!
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Oh, I adore this one ☺
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Thank you! That made me smile.
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Hehe, I’m so rarely browsing wordpress or any other social media. I’m glad this showed up on my feed this time around 😊 I’ll try to comment more!
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I was delighted to see you comment. Thank you.
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I just read this again. There’s something about it. I think perfect is kind of a silly word, and don’t really believe in the concept, but this is damn near.
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Thank you. You’re too kind. But I’m glad you liked it.
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Separated but still deeply in love. And a magical, unique build up. Artists do often have a problem expressing deep emotion in person. It’s reflected more in their work. This reminded me of La La Land for some strange reason (maybe because of the ending) but it’s better than the movie. Great writing Tara!
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I’ve never heard of that movie. But I’m glad you liked it Nitin!
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It’s a musical. Emma stone won an oscar for her performance in it. It has Ryan Gosling too if I’m not mistaken. It’s a whimsical movie with a very realistic ending. Watch it sometime. And you’re very welcome.
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☺️ thanks my brother
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Dang, good one!
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Awww thanks Patrick!
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I am winding my Tissot Pocket watch right now , thinking about this one
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Nice!
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