REPAIRING

As was only right in so neatly-constructed a man,

American-made, and a watchmaker to boot,

My grandfather Joe originally kept perfect time.

When he broke, it took him years to fix himself. 

He cut corners, using eccentric gears bought 

From shady suppliers. His mainspring worked

After a fashion, so if one hour was too long

The next two might be a bit shorter. My uncle Ase

Loved Joe but was a pharmacist and had 

No remedies for a broken clockwork heart.