Father Time Poem by Denis Martindale

When Father Time appeared to me,
I saw him in a dream,
His face benign with sympathy,
Not callous or extreme...
Aware of mortals and their thoughts,
Aware of every scheme,
Yet opposite to all reports,
Each life must have its theme...

He held life's wondrous hourglass
That tracked the falling sands,
The quest of time that comes to pass
In all God's sovereign lands...
Such that each grain that tumbled down
Marked all Man's noble plans,
Beyond each tear, each smile, each frown,
Each cosmic circumstance...

The hourglass was almost drained,
Not much time left to run
And not much point if I complained
When my life, too, was done...
Yet Father Time had warned me thus,
Prepare to meet God's Son,
The Saviour, Lamb of God, Jesus,
The precious holy One...

Through Christ I'll stand, yet not alone,
Faith kindled, boldly stirred,
The Holy Bible that I own
Will guide in what's preferred...
So thank you, Father Time, old friend,
Your warning has been heard,
Upon two things each must depend:
God's timing and God's word...


Denis Martindale, copyright June 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent painting by
artist Raipun, thanks to her art collection on
deviantart. Google search for Christiane Vleugels.