JVD

They say the industrial revolution
began with the Benedictines when they divided
their day into three equal parts, eight hours
for work, eight for prayer, and eight
for sleep.

A clock of some sort maintained this division,
which the monks obeyed because it told them
what they should do and when they should do it,
their collective will regulated thereafter
by machine.

The rest of humanity adopted a similar kind
of existence, and after a while became accustomed
to wound-up lives. It is what other creatures
don’t understand, driven as they are still by
desires.

In ”Modern Times” we see Charlie Chaplin,
whose trousers are caught as he disentangles himself
from the time-telling hands of a statue he’s used
for a bed, unaware of its impending dedication.
We laugh.