The poem is a tribute to the clockmaker Don Asterio Alarcón, who lived in Valparaíso, Chile. It describes his daily routine, highlighting his dedication and precision in repairing clocks. The poem also touches on the themes of time, mortality, and the passing of generations. Through the character of the clockmaker, it explores the human relationship with time and the inevitability of death.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1952 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism