Worldwide grandfather clock delivery service
"An antique grandfather clock is a friend and companion for life."

Grandfather Clocks

7 Sandringham Road, Widnes
Cheshire WA8 9HD
United Kingdom
tel / fax: +44 (0)151 4249189
e-mail: john@johnshone.co.uk

The John Shone Collection
A Tradition Of Excellence
Specialist in the buying, selling and renovation of fine antique grandfather clocks for over 30 years

John's original poems

<< June 2003 | poems index | clock poem | August 2003 >>
SEPTILAMUS CLAUDICUM(a latin lover of grandfather/longcase/tallcase clocks)  (July 2003)
Septilamus Claudicum, a polite, well mannered chap,
greeted everybody by the raising of his Cap.
He hadn't any sisters, nor had he a brother,
And he spent most of his spare time with,
his Claudicumus mother.

A very clever fellow, well versed in Latin and Greek,
he had no time for violence, just turned the other cheek.
And though people sometimes smiled at him, behind his back they'd titter,
at his starched white shirt, and pinstripe suit, and Septilamus twitter

By day he taught the children, how not to play the fool,
to be spoken to, but seldom speak, when they attended School.
By night he marked their papers and held counsel with his mum,
he knew he could depend on her, his best, most loyal chum.

One day, when talking to him, Sep told me of his Dad,
who'd gone away one morning, while Sep was still a lad.
Yet before me stood this fellow, not bitter in his heart,
now happy and contented to play life's allotted part.

I only saw him one more time, two weeks after the day,
when without any warning, his best chum passed away.
He'd decided it was time to move, to make another start,
the memories surrounding him, brought sadness to his heart.

He left his little hamlet, only home he'd ever known,
and putting his best foot forward, stepped forth upon his own.
And though I sometimes heard from him, he moved around so much,
that it came as no surprise to me, when we eventually lost touch.

So if upon your travels, you should bump into a chap,
who greets you with a smile and by the raising of his cap.
If his name is Claudicum, tell him you know of a fan,
who hopes that he's found peace of mind,
that polite, well mannered, man.