It was pouring, heavens hard,
when our paths crossed
for the very first time.
Both of us did a double take.
Remember?
“Twins separated at birth,”
we joked, as we waited
for a train at Putney station;
with the same blonde bob
and the same choice
in gabardine raincoats.
Seventeen we were; two
office juniors, but aspiring
millionaires. The same
star-sign, as it happens;
Gemini. Both, Beetle crazy;
Hammersmith Odeon
we saw them live. December,
nineteen- sixty-five.
Then life moved us on –
we lost touch, until now,
many decades later;
a letter from your sister
telling me you’d died.
Born before our time,
perhaps. Nevertheless,
all that remains...
is to commit to memory
these precious things.
Your dress the day we met –
soaked through, followed
each line – each contour
and your red umbrella
that we shared. The rain
turning to sleet, and how
I was the warmest
I had ever been.
Comments
MistakenMagic | March 15, 2010 - 16:42
I love that third stanza, Tina! The warmth described radiates from the poem and those last few lines are just beautiful ;)
Magic xxx
kheldar | March 15, 2010 - 16:50
Really like this Tina, a brilliant response to the IP. It's really atmospheric, drawing the reader in to both the event and the emotions.
David xx :--)
Silver Spun Sand | March 15, 2010 - 17:07
Thank you so much, Magic. A hard slog this one, and I am so glad that you liked it;-)
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | March 15, 2010 - 17:09
David, thank you. It was such a brilliant I.P., but my brain decided it was going to hibernate for the weekend, so I'm heartened that you got something from this one;-)
Tina xx
Dynamaso | March 16, 2010 - 07:22
Tina, this is brilliant. I don't know how you do it but I love your consistency. Where's the cherry?
Silver Spun Sand | March 16, 2010 - 10:10
Thanks so much, Dynamaso. Your words mean much;-)
Tina
rjnewlyn | March 17, 2010 - 08:34
Did the Hammersmith Odeon exist in 1965? It doesn't matter either way - it's a nice idea and good to see that fondly-remembered place in any context. Very good as always in getting across bittersweet memory.
Silver Spun Sand | March 17, 2010 - 10:05
Hi there rj. I sincerely hope so. I actually went to see them there with my then boyfriend - now my husband. It was fabulous, but I do seem to remember rather a lot of cigarette stub throwing, which somewhat blighted the evening. Couldn't happen these days, thankfully.
Glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina
Nathan Bednarek | March 19, 2010 - 21:15
Beautiful and sweet. I really enjoyed this poem. I don't live far from Putney station ;-)
Well done.
Nathan xox
Silver Spun Sand | March 19, 2010 - 22:43
Know them well; both Putney Bridge Station and of course, East Putney, if it still exists of course. Used to have a friend who lived in Southfields. Many moons ago, of course.
Glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina xox
Kahdai | March 21, 2010 - 16:58
A very emotional poem, the thought of two siblings living in parallel like that is quiet sad to me & that they was there at the same time as you & you never saw them. I like the warmest you had ever been sharing umberella with a long lost twin, the special bond they only twins have. Kahdai x
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2010 - 18:15
Thank you, Kahdai for your lovely comment. Much appreciated;-)
Tina
Nathan Bednarek | March 22, 2010 - 23:11
I go through East Putney every time I go to work- I take the district line to Wimbledon ;-)
Silver Spun Sand | March 22, 2010 - 23:28
Small world, eh, Nathan?;-)
Tina xox