Perceived Misconception

By skinner_jennifer

Wed, 13 Dec 2017
  • 2195 reads
8 comments
 

Hard to recall

exactly those

slithering ghosts

snaking silently,

 

whilst trying to

process each new

dawning of a younger me...

especially that September of 1969.

 

Recalling; with wings chance

to fly leave childish roots,

feel continuity even if

I was labeled office lackey,

 

harpooned into tap, tapping

away on that Olivetti,

fingers lightly hotfooting

from one key to another,

 

seduced by that buttery tone

on the other end of phone;

his voice encroaches on my memory –

him holding the line countless times,

 

hiding in the shadows with adeptness at flattery,

master of ad-lib; obsessed with enthusiasm

for his addiction to administration,

me wanting to prolong those ramblings.

 

Then it happened:

at a cold Winter's office function,

your companies collaboration with ours,

I thought we'd be like port and lemon,

 

or vodka and tonic,

but in that moment

your charm all but disappeared,

instead our babbling was degenerated.

 

Here was I

just turned sixteen

obsessed with enthusiasm;

standing on the office balcony,

 

smell of hops carrying your

chatter across ancient roof tops,

gull droppings dribbling down flaking,

grainy poppy seed walls, not alluring at all,

 

you a senior – master of disguise

balding nicely; not my type at all,

but oh, how we sparkled,

cracked up laughing wildly,

 

your photocopied personality

injected me with energy,

lifting my spirits

at our humiliation.

 

Certificate 12
Poem
Poems
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

aha, leaves us guessing Jenny, but twnkle-toed in its approach. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

We all probably unconsciously conjure faces to voices on the phone, often without thought unless we meet the 'voice'! but character may come across correctly despite the wrong created 'face', or maybe partially – banter on the phone givesonly a limited definition of character! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack,

thought I'd take the opportunity to try and use some metaphors in this I P, wasn't sure if it would work and wondered if readers would know what the hell I was on about.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.

Jenny.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you are so right in your comment. This experience in my very first job as a copy typist, come receptionist had me answering the phone to many clients, but this particular man would be quite friendly, and made me feel special at the time.

I wasn't sure if the metaphor banter would work, but I'm going to keep on trying with this way of writing poetry.

Again thank you for the comment, much appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I started my working career as a copy typist too - my mum always said that if I learned to type, I'd always be able to get a job.  And yes, that thing when you meet someone you've talked to loads of times on the phone and they say 'Oh, you don't look like I imagined...' sad

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there airyfairy,

it's hard to remember exactly what his features were like now, but all I can recall was that bald head. I suppose the same can be said about the internet now, you never quite know who you're talking to, just that imagined image in your head.

I did pitmans shorthand at night classes and also a speed writing course as well as typing classes at school. Yes it did come in handy, because during the 1970s jobs were easy to come by and I had know problem getting a job, or even temping which I really enjoyed, because I'd only be in a company for a couple of weeks, then move on, I liked the variety of moving around from firm to firm.

The company I wrote about used to have some great office parties, I managed to stay with them for three years which was quite an achievement for me at the time. I used to have to deliver the post by hand to companies all around Bristol city, walking from one company to another after work, don't know how I did it now. How times have changed.

Any way enough of my ramblings. Many thanks for stopping by to read and appreciate the comment, nice to know how others joined the ranks of work after school.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Took me back too - Real Estate Office typist -then Bank typist- then Retail HR Typist -- You sure can be a typist in so many different fields - and I do remember certain voices on the phone ...the ones that had a compelling allure but...in person...did not always meet those alluring expectations.

This was fun to read and I liked the way you built on the imagine of how the two phone companions felt upon meeting in person....smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny,

isn't it strange how we remember those little moment in life that stand out, yet mean nothing much at the time. Faces can become blurry yet there are some facts about a person that stick out. Yes it's good we were able to laugh about that meeting, although I did find myself blushing when he first walked in.

Glad you found it a fun read and thank you for letting me know. It was nice to write and look back.

Jenny. smiley