Church Times
The churches that chime the times that change
Cherished those who were once called wise
And, in defining the hour within earshot range
Gave succour to those who searched the skies
For signs of sun or moon or star
To fix an object near or far
Later, trains travelled on rusty rails
Respecting the time from whence they departed
Yet delivered their cargo to ships with sails
Arriving, yet, before loading had started
Tides were sailors’ own favoured clocks
Even when tracks brought goods to docks
And still there are those who rely on the moon
To tell them when and what to pray
They will not start a minute too soon
As only the ordained dare define the day
Descending to the depths of ancient ritual
To find the source of the sacred and spiritual
O! bless the present and priestly enlightened
And those of the past who gave preference to science
Over manipulating the masses, those easily frightened
Or treating as fact what was poetic licence
Reading books by oil lamp in darkened room
Rejecting the threats of the mongers of doom
Now we can be armed on wrists with watches
Some connected to satellites made by man
No longer counting on wood-scraped notches
Pursuing technology’s permanent plan
To enhance our lives – for better or worse
Filling the public or private purse
As we walk by churchyard and hear that sound
We should wonder what is the current meaning
Of the noise of the bells that the graves surround
New stones upright and old ones leaning
To some of us it may still seem so strange
That churches chime the times that change
