By The Lake Of Banky Water I Sat Down Where The Grass No Longer Grows

Cherry

By Bee

Fri, 25 Jul 2014
  • 5689 reads
19 comments
 

By the lake of Banky Water, 
I sat down where grass no longer grows,
and reeds screech black 
as squitos hover over blue-green Algae 
and skateless insects stick to scum. 

I tried to trace the fish beneath the murk 
and saw the odd one make a grand attempt to leap
then side-flop, flubbered on the jellish surface 
before sinking thickly in the stink. 

It was hot, so I got up and walked along the crusty path, 
checking where I stepped in order to avoid 
the rusty knives, discarded needles, 
and the condoms dropped 
amongst the festering mess of dogs in between the rocks
and stocks of empty beer cans,
carefully placed to help me fall.

Further up the path, stood Malcolm,
gone up North these twenty years -
He didn't know if he should shake my hand,
or chance a kiss. Embarrassed by the sudden closeness
of the distance between us, we laughed
but didn't know what for.

I thought I should invite him home for coffee, perhaps 
to dinner - just for old time's sake, but as it went,
I only told him, 'Nice to see you', then left him 
walking to the spoilt lake

where once we held each other's hands, kissed
and swore undying love,
then said goodbye one moony morning,
before he buggered off up North.

The End

Certificate 12
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Not such a pleasant walk! Seems to echo the friendship's going rather sour. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Rhiannon. I should make it clear that this is totally fictional. For me, there was no such lake and as far as I know, Malcolm doesn't exist. 

Enjoy your day.

Bee

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Absolutely beautiful, Bee. Honest! You capture the degradation in such a beautiful way. I'm no literature expert, but I just enjoyed being present in the dream. Lovely. x

Parson Thru

Submitted by Bee on

I'm thrilled with your comments, PT, thank you so much. Sad you are saying goodbye to the bees, though. They'll miss you.

Bee

Submitted by celticman on

Malcolm does exist. Not sure squitos do. But I'm sure they're the same as dog poo.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi CM. 

Mosquitos do though, but they're probably just gnats in this part of the world. I've been wondering about Malcolm. That's reassuring.

And thank you for reading - very much appreciated.

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee,

So descriptive. I could smell it as well as see it and seem to need to scratch.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Jean. I had fun writing this. Glad you it took you there - but sorry about the itching.

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Dear story picker,

Thank you for the cherries!!!

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

How could he bugger oop North! You were well rid of him, pet. A superb description of a rotten situation in every sense, Bee. The 'ciliege' are well deserved.

Best, Luigi.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Luigi, how I could have missed your lovely comments, I'll never know. Please forgive the late response - and thank you.

Bee

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A neat little story within this poem Bee.

Always that question comes up for me...What might have been if we'd walked different roads?

This story is one of those that poses that question.

Very much enjoyed reading as always.

Jenny.  smiley

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Jenny - so glad you liked. Thank you.

Bee

Submitted by VeraClark on

Much of my life feels like this when I look back. This appealed to me at a personal level, beyond that, the environmental images are gritty, with their own emotional intensity and a certain sort of happy go luckiness that brings it to a chamring close. Last line's my favourite because you don't mope.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks a million, Vera. 

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

I had to comment Bee.  I've read this a few times now and have been delighted with the burgeoning comments list.  All the praise and positive feedback is bang on.  I think that having read some of my nature poetry you will already know that this is going to very much appeal to me.  I love it.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks so much, scratch. I'm thrilled you liked it. You've made me want to go back and re - read some of your poetry. I've just been so into your Daniel, haven't had time to think about much else. 

Bee

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Bee,

You haven't lost your touch.  The scene was so beautifully described even though it wasn't a beautiful scene.  Like one of the other commentators I loved the last line too.  You always hit the mark with your poetry and this was no exception.

Moya

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks so much for your kind words, Moya.

Very much appreciation,

Bee