congratulations: 25 Years Honored with a Contour Glass

Congratulations

A proud moment attending with the Lord Mayor,
weighed down by his heavy ceremonial chain
in the banquet hall as he presented her
with two contour glasses for 25 years of government service.

Her mother looked puzzled, grabbed one,
and held it up to the chandelier and flicked it.
Then she wet her finger
and gently swiped around the rim.

Not a sound.
She frowned.
Whatever happened to the carriage clock?

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