I knew what a vise was

but not the word for it in Dutch.

Still, I figured I’d find whatever it was

“on the work bench

on the third floor,

just under the roof.”

I knew I was looking for

something with a screw.

Piet wanted it to fix a clock.

Not a big clock,

a little clock.

A travel alarm,

like what my Grandma would’ve had

in the ’80’s.

It was a gift from an aunt

and the winder was off.

But first I had to find that screw.