B Wise with Your Time Poem

I wrote this poem about Herman Samuel "B" Beck, Jr., of Mount Airy, MD to honor his remarkable contributions to the town and read it at the dedication of the clock on Town Hall to honor him.

Here I read the poem at the ceremony. 

“B” Wise with Your Time

 (for Herman Samuel “B” Beck, Jr.)

There is a clock above Town Hall

Near the old B&O station in Mt. Airy,

Dependable, accurate, useful and true,

Named after Herman Samuel “B” Beck, Jr.

Mr. Beck, author of the Mt. Airy B&O Story,

1936 graduate of Mt. Airy High School,

WWII radioman with the Army Air Corps

In the European Theater of Operations,

“B” columnist of the Mt. Airy News

Of the “Way We Were” column,

Member of the Mt. Airy Town Council,

Manager Coach of the Mt. Airy Little League,

Promoted citizenship as a Member, President

   And District Governor of the Lions.

All this and more he did

While also being a good provider,

Loving husband, father and grandfather.

He knew something of the importance

Of time and how it must be used.

This clock, now named for him,

Will continue to contribute

To the Citizens of Mt. Airy

As he did in a life of service

To us here below, while he smiles

Conducting a timeless train above.

His clock points to us to let us know

We can join him sometime later

After it has turned all its earthly spins.

When you look at this clock,

Remember what it says:

For this is the Mt. Airy

Herman Samuel “B” Beck, Jr. clock,

It tells MORE than time.

Like him, it says:

“B” wise, and use your time

As wisely as I did

When I was a Citizen of Mt. Airy.”

Bruce Curley
January 29, 2012

Poem on YouTube