circular staircase

The mangled heir tucked away in the catacombs
Forgotten insane aunts stowed in attics
Every family has its mysteries

The outward facing dial
Placid and round
Ordered and ordinary
Slivered into relateable hunks

Yet behind the smooth panel
thrashing and twisting, torn needed secrets
Caught on the gears’ teeth

Pendulum,
anchor,
wheels,
escapement
Each member with set roles
in repetition
moving in rhythmic chaos
Marking time