Clang

 

A sombre bell tolled.

Unaccompanied, it sounded desolate.

The clang gave it away.

It was being controlled.

 

Alone, it would have said nothing.

Air would not have moved.

Not enough to resonate.

Sound meant another thing.

 

It implied interference.

A controlling hand, arm, shoulder.

Someone made an effort.

Pulled a rope with reverence.

 

Diagnosing the bell’s function.

Campanology their speciality.

Doctorate in applied muscle.

Applied their specialty with gumption.

 

The reward was my attention,

Which is a bell’s raison d’etre.

I could not guess their reasons,

But I think I know their intention.