Lines on Roger Hilton’s Watch

Which I was given because

I loved him and we had

Terrible times together.

O tarnished ticking time

Piece with your bent hand,

You must be used to being

Looked at suddenly

In the middle of the night

When he switched the light on

Beside his bed. I hope

You told him the best time

When he lifted you up

To meet the Hilton gaze.

I lift you up from the mantel

Piece here in my house

Wearing your verdigris.

At least I keep you wound

And put my ear to you

To hear Botallack tick.

You realise your master

Has relinquished you

And gone to lie under

The ground at St Just.

Tell me the time. The time

Is Botallack o’clock.

This is the dead of night.

He switches the light on

To find a cigarette

And pours himself a Teachers.

He picks me up and holds me

Near his lonely face

To see my hands. He thinks

He is not being watched.

The images of his dream

Are still about his face

As he spits and tries not

To remember where he was.

I am only a watch

And pray time hastes away.

I think I am running down.

Watch, it is time I wound

You up again. I am

Very much not your dear

Last master but we had

Terrible times together.