OLD FATHER TIME

[Jeff Thorpe]

OLD FATHER TIME
(C) Jeff Thorpe 15 February 2017

He's almost indestructible as the annals show
and features in a poem by cricketer John Snow,
Father Time, the weather vane domiciled at Lords,
one of the Ground's icons according to records.

Standing 6 feet 6 inch tall, created in 1926
on the old Grand Stand, telling what cricket law depicts,
that bails shall be removed once time has been called,
day's play ended and the game's progress stalled.

An incident filled existence Old Father Time has faced
surviving four episodes where he's been displaced,
in the War, a balloon cable wrenched him from his perch
leaving him in a cellar for some years in the lurch.

Lightning struck in '92 requiring restoration
and relocation in '96 when ground renovation
saw Father Time moved to top the Mound Stand,
a permanent shift, no more transfers to withstand.

But, in 2015 Father Time fell foul
of high winds from Cyclone Niklas, throwing in the towel,
needing repair once more from extensive damage
which specialists were able to successfully manage.

How many wickets taken and how many runs scored,
how many cricketers have been put to the sword
under Father Time's gaze, he'd have many a tale to tell,
av a go ya mug, I'm certain he'd yell well.

[Maureen K Clifford]

That's an interesting yarn Jeff and a grand piece of history as well

[Shelley Hansen]

Now there's a piece of history that has passed me by! Thanks, Jeff, for telling us the tale!

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thanks Maureen and Shelley. You may note I've edited the typo in the last line of stanza 2. "play stalled" whereas original read "play called".

My proof reading needs some improvement.

Cheers, Jeff