Unable to make a decision
you moved in incrementally, a gentle migration
of clothes, Cd's and cheap electronics
and my room became a bad art installation
I smuggled you in late, giggling at the smell of weed
from upstairs, and marveled at how similar, placed palm to palm,
our hands were, - mine smaller, but the same somehow -
in the blue glow from the indian opposite,
We traded fucked-upness and decided
that both being the youngest of four makes us equal
and we'd always take turns to make tea and toast at midnight
We slept as if co-joined in the single bed, sheets tucked up tight
against the cold, not daring to leave the gas fire lit
Unable to make a decision
we live in perpetual sin, we found a house,
learned to garden, bought a puppy
we share everything we have, food, bodyheat, luck,
but lately, secretly, when a smile makes shadows around your eyes
and you reach for me, pressing your hand against mine,
that's when I think, one of us will default
and one of us will be left behind
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | August 5, 2011 - 19:32
This is beautiful, shoe, and a fitting poem to celebrate your hundredth poem on ABC.
Many congratulations, and long may you continue to make ABC a richer place with your inspired writing.
Tina
seashore | August 5, 2011 - 22:29
I can only echo Tina's words. I always enjoy reading your work, shoe, and this, your 100th is no exception.
fatboy74 | August 6, 2011 - 01:31
My last post on here for a while on a poem that oozes class and hints at heartbreak as many of your poems have. The last section is beautifully poignant but all a pleasure to read. Well done shoe. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | August 6, 2011 - 09:05
Well done on the cherry, shoe;-) More than deserved.
Highhat | August 6, 2011 - 10:08
I liked this a lot shoe- well done on your 100th poem-
;)Pia
MistakenMagic | August 6, 2011 - 12:48
"We traded fucked-upness and decided
that both being the youngest of four makes us equal"
- really love this line, Shirley! This is a stunning poem, the imagery is so vivid. Well done on the cherries and this beautiful 100th poem :)
Magic xxx
barryj1 | August 6, 2011 - 17:12
The originality floored me - absolutely beautiful!
shoe | August 6, 2011 - 18:12
Thanks very much all, I appreciate your reading and am glad you like this.
FB, hurry back,
Richard, thank you for your very interesting interpretation, I like that,
RachelPatricia | August 8, 2011 - 22:28
Can't believe I almost missed this!
Congratulations on a truly stunning 100th poem, shoe, and I just want you to know that I love your poetry enough to be able to say in all honesty (and unless I get taken-out by the '59 or something any time soon), that I will definitely still be around to help you celebrate your 200th, too - I also second what Barry said of the flooring effects of your originality, and yet somehow you just read this and can see clearly that it's got 'shoe' stamped all over it, how do you do that?! :)
Was drawn in by the heart-warming familiarality of that opening stanza and left completely breathless by the last - this is a real gem of a poem and I absolutely loved it (if that wasn't already obvious)!
Rock-on, shoe - here's to a hundred more ;)
Rachel xx
shoe | August 10, 2011 - 18:49
Hi Rachel, I can't begin to say how much I appreciate your comment, I have so many insecurities about my poems, are they boring, do I 'give' enough or are they just pointless drivel? And coming from the queen of originality, it means that much more, your poems are so inventive,intelligent,brave and open, I really admire that. promise to stay away from that'59 and keep on writing!
Shirley
Nicola6 | August 23, 2011 - 18:42
Just came across your work for the first time. I like the sound inside your poems. This one is such a good snapshot of a contemporary love affair.
Dear Ale... | February 3, 2012 - 03:59
My favourite so far. I love how most of the time we know something's not going to work out but you don't stop it from playing out. Perfectly stated here!
shoe | February 3, 2012 - 18:36
Thanks very much for going back this far!, but seriously,,it shows a real commitment to reading and that's what this site is all about, I hope to read more of yours in the future.
Dear Ale... | February 4, 2012 - 02:11
I'm loving this site, so much inspiration everywhere. Its so easy to find like minded writers and connect with them. Looking forward to reading more of your work too. Cheers.