A waning heart drifts
over London’s peaks
sleepy concrete that
makes me remember
a boy, crazier than me
and how I shrugged him off
like an ill-fitting blouse.
At three in the morning
in a Turkish café
he turned to me to say:
“my biggest mistake was being born”
I dismissed it
with a kiss just
to stop him from
making more
theatrical statements.
I didn’t acknowledge the
depth of his feeling because
I couldn’t believe anyone
went deeper than me:
a selfish teenager with skin
made of silk, delicately woven
from inexperience. Not knowing
how bodies can bind together
without minds, without futures
without promises.
The last cab ride to Brighton
he put on a tie and I slid
into my mother’s heels
his eyes were alight
like a nightclub on fire
and I was in there, somewhere
and still am
and I’m sorry I left to go home
and I’m sorry he kept on into the night
leaving a trail of smoke and cinders
for some other girl
to pick up
to follow.
Comments
blighters rock | July 21, 2012 - 12:51
Leonard brings back some fine memories, and Richard Burton in 'Look back in anger'.
maggyvaneijk | July 21, 2012 - 12:56
Thanks for reading, as always :)
samhennig | July 21, 2012 - 19:12
Every time I read one of your poems, I always think the same thing...'Wish I could write like that!' So much said, so beautifully. Brilliant stuff,
Sam
samhennig | July 21, 2012 - 19:12
Every time I read one of your poems, I always think the same thing...'Wish I could write like that!' So much said, so beautifully. Brilliant stuff,
Sam
insertponceyfre... | July 21, 2012 - 19:38
so many wonderful lines in this, love the regret that runs through it all
maggyvaneijk | July 21, 2012 - 19:45
Thanks to you both!
Parson Thru | July 21, 2012 - 22:42
Wonderful scenes Maggy and I love that sense of regret and wistfulness. Beautifully created.
seashore | July 22, 2012 - 13:01
We've all been there, Maggy but can't capture the feeling the way you have.
mrskatehowell | July 22, 2012 - 19:58
Wonderful pictures created in my mind through and through. you've written this poem so beautiful even when its about regret. keep up the great work :)
Kate
tcook | July 23, 2012 - 13:35
This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day.
Join us on Facebook at ABCtales.com
Join us on Twitter @tcookabctales
Get a great reading recommendation most days.
The Walrus | July 23, 2012 - 13:53
Very moving piece, it brings back to me some of the disappointments of my youth and young manhood.
Overthetop1 | August 1, 2012 - 01:02
This was wonderful. So evocative and you portray the way we (or I do) rake over the past, wondering what if...? You also write beautifuly about the guilty memories that can haunt us. Loved it (as usual!).
Nathan Bednarek | August 17, 2012 - 13:01
The penultimate stanza is my favourite. However, of course, the whole poem speaks volumes and is dripping with whatever tears where shed over it. Magnificent...
Well done
Nathan.
scratch | October 5, 2012 - 11:13
Just come to this Maggie, it deserves all the praise, it's all good but I especially like the ending
denni1 | February 20, 2013 - 08:07
It was like a little movie .. xx