7 OCTOBER 1995, Page 40

The Pocket Watch

Like the dry rattle of seeds in hollow poppy heads, or a brisk frantic insect which finds itself trapped by the smooth bubble chamber within a pebble of amber so, inside this stone of gold, escape is held.

As round as the hole in the centre of an acoustic guitar it fidgets precisely and hides in the name of jewellery a trite and terrible message.

I listen to the passing of my age consistent and continual, noticing the time until I know what is trying to hatch from the eye of the watch.

Charles Bennett