ZKG 34: 'the clock tower'

 

the clock-tower

 

despite being the only landmark

the squat clock-tower had no main access

from the drive to the school

its base contained a rounded arch

that opened up onto the central court

to one side just classrooms

the other the school chapel

 

the day i nearly set fire to the school

focusing my convex motorbike headlamp glass

on the dry grass

beside the swimming pool

with its outer fence

it could just be seen stage right

 

when the grass caught fire

and i couldn’t stamp it out

and it rampaged

threatening the fence

and the school army’s arsenal

complete with ammunition

i ran to it

as the obvious refuge

 

at its base

beside the chapel

was a snail alcove

that formed the beginning

of the spiral staircase

i crept inside

and hid

with time above me

but unable to reach

that far down

 

eventually

i had to come out

and ‘face the music’

which was decidedly dolce

since i had owned up

‘would you like a glass of water?’

my parents never got to hear about it

maybe

 

but there is still

the occasional sound

of sea shells