The Clock

I spent two hours plus today

At MOMA with “The Clock,”*

A cinema montage composed

Of film and TV stock.

 

With collected clips of time shown,

(There are thousands spanning years)

It is brilliantly presented

As each clock or watch appears.

 

So if an actor checks his watch

And it says 2:15,

Your phone will correspond with

What the time is on the screen.

 

The film is on a constant loop,

The hours twenty-four

And people watch for varied times,

Most wanting to see more.

 

Yet when museum hours end,

The film keeps playing on,

Despite the fact the audience

Reluctantly has gone.

 

At times, a special screening runs,

When viewers are allowed

To stay all day and night; I’ve heard

That it attracts a crowd.

 

I couldn’t really do that, but

If I can snag a seat,

I’d love to catch a few more hours;

It really was a treat.

 

*by Christian Marclay, currently on view

at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art