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'A Map of the World' (I.P.)

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Published by Silver Spun Sand on July 26, 2012 - 19:41
from the ABC set Silver Spun Sand Poems

Melt to the tunes of Pat Metheny;
pour myself another cup of coffee...
evening drips, easy, from the horns
of early stars.

An owl perches in the crotch
of the willow, and I sit here, wondering
if you are sleeping yet; time zones
too complex for me.

Stare blankly at a map... the one
you pinned on the wall before you left;
I stroke the elongated, brownish blotch
they call ‘Honduras’.

Strange, how mapped oceans and seas
appear becalmed – stiller even,
than the land itself.

Unpronounceable names...towns
and cities laced with rivers and bays
I can touch with my hands.

Kid myself that the space between us
is but inches; so close I could feel
your breath on my cheek...

trace the line of your jaw
and that funny, snub nose...and then
those lips, that now I kiss, only
with he tips of my fingers.

yet, every inch, represents
five thousand miles...I am here,
you are there...so near
yet so very out of reach.

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Comments

Rhiannonw | July 26, 2012 - 23:22

the apparently becalmed oceans, the inches to thousands of miles, a flat map representing something of reality … you capture it in such an interesting way, Tina. Glad to read, Rhiannon

Denzella | July 27, 2012 - 07:46

Hello Tina,

Yes you have given us a very interesting take on this week's IP.

As is usual with all your work it was much enjoyed.

Moya

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2012 - 07:57

Thanks, Rhiannon. Much appreciated;-)

Tina

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2012 - 07:58

Many thanks, Moya;-)

Tina

skinner_jennifer | July 27, 2012 - 16:56

Wonderful writing as always Tina.

I have a feeling this is about your granddaughter.

I think it was so clever to use the IP in this
poem. I wonder if you will be able to use the google
map to find out where she is staying.

I loved the idea of the owl perched in the crotch
of the willow. Infact that whole stanza about the
time difference was great. No actually the whole
poem is great.

Hope you hear from her soon.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2012 - 18:10

Hello, Jenny...yes you are right. It is about Ashley. As I speak she is away up on the Isle of Coll, getting last minute coaching on her teaching stint in Honduras. She leaves on the 5th August, and will be sorely missed by all her know and love her, but the kids in Honduras will be gaining the best 'teacher' they could possibly get, for the coming year, at least;-)

Pleased you enjoyed this. Your words meant a lot.

Tina

Sooz006 | July 27, 2012 - 18:34

An owl perches in the crotch
of the willow, ... delightful image.

And a lovely last stanza. A lovely poem.

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2012 - 19:40

Thanks, Sooz...and the owl really does;-)

Tina

Kilb50 | August 1, 2012 - 14:46

Ah Silver...as a bit of a Metheny freak myself A Map of the World went down very well indeed! Enjoyed!

Silver Spun Sand | August 1, 2012 - 15:25

Pleased to hear it, Kilb;-)

Nathan Bednarek | August 31, 2012 - 16:19

Love this. Amazing work. Very cleverly written. Much enjoyed ;)

Nathan

Silver Spun Sand | August 31, 2012 - 19:05

Thanks, Nathan. Good of you to say so;-)

Tina