El primero de junio

Cherry

By Parson Thru

Fri, 01 Jun 2018
  • 4234 reads
14 comments
 

First of June and the streets have come to life.

Something is different.

The bulls have been running a fortnight, but tonight feels like a fiesta.

Footpaths teem with friends, families, workers hurrying home, shoppers with bags – bread protruding.

Bars are bustling, terraces full, waiters working the tables, expertly cutting through crowds.

Sparrows fight for crumbs and squabble deep in chestnut and allergy-wreaking plane trees; reckless scooters, swallows and taxis swerve and swoop to squeals, horns and loud exhausts, filling the air with the din of life.

Crossing the road, I catch someone’s eye, or they mine – sure that I know her.  Everyone has a double, they say.  I trace her to an office in Bristol. I wonder where she saw me.

Below the balcony, buses roar, old Madrileños growl – those still able. 

Just after nine – the bullfight is ending.  No rain.  Madre mia!

I pour a glass of Reserva.

Can summer really be here?

Certificate U
Poem
Parson Thruses Dairy
Travel

Comments

Submitted by Kat027 on

This is enchanting! It truly give the reader that "summery" feeling. Your images, one by one, build on one another beautifully to create the scene. I think everyone's had a similar experience when you see someone you're sure you know! Entertaining and fun, although I'd pour myself a Sangria! :)

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Thank you Kat027. Yes, it's odd having those encounters. The memory playing games, perhaps. Once-familiar faces that we forget, shocked into life. Thank you for your comments. Really nice of you. Try tinto de verano, too. Though the often overcharge.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I like these slice of life pieces so much. More like sandwiches bursting out with fresh details

No rain here for weeks either, MOST  unusual

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Hi Di_Hard. I'd spent the day thinking how lacking in inspiration I felt, even writing so in a letter to a friend. The answer is it's all around us, isn't it?

We've got the opposite problem here. I was surprised that we got through an evening without a cloudburst or storm. Apparently they kept going through one this week and the toreos and toros were described as "splashing around" in the wet arena (arena is Spanish for sand - good, eh?). Not quite the Hemingway image. Probably the wettest spring for decades.

Thank you for your encouraging words.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Echoing Di, another colour filled moment in time - thank you! Apparently it was the sunniest May since 1929 here

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

My honest pleasure, insert. x

Thank you for the cherries.

See above for weather. Are they panicking about water yet? We were actually very short here by last winter, but must surely have enough to lend you by now. Hope it's the start of a good summer in the UK.

Parson Thru

Submitted by airyfairy on

I love these slices of life, they're always so vivid. The sounds and scents come alive and we can see a colour drenched scene as if we're there.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

That's a lovely comment, airyfairy. Thank you. Got me thinking about technique and perception. Brilliant. Thanks.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I think I would feel so engulfed by the crowd and sounds, that I'd not have the eyes to see the detail and appreciate it, both human and nature.
reckless scooters, swallows and taxis swerve and swoop – lovely picture of the mixture. and I didn't know plane trees were particularly bad for allergy sufferers, but I suppose they have a lot pollen until the seeds set.

We've had a lot of rain here for 2 days, with thunder, but not as much as the amber warning threatened as possible. But I suppose it's not country-wide. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

It wouldn't be Wales without rain and mist, Rhiannon. I'm told the countryside is beautiful here at the moment with all the wildflowers and greenery. Just shows it's all there lying dormant, it just needs the rain.

I think I need both (city and countryside). The human bit is essential for me. Good or bad. Yes, the plane trees cause havoc. Made worse by traffic pollution. Hope you're well, Rhiannon.

Parson Thru

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A carefree piece of writing capturing the essence of a scene I could visulize with my minds eye.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Thank you Jenny.

Carefree. Yes. You're right. In those moments, it was just being there among all that.

Hope you're well.

Parson Thru

Submitted by socialeaf on

This is terrific Parson Thru. A skillfully crafted poetic slice of life. 

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Thank you socialeaf.  I really appreciate that.

Parson Thru