how many times
how many times
had she lay
on a creaky iron bed
in a cheap pensione
in the heat
of the afternoon
off a still baking street
in a walled city
treeless
geraniumless
art treasur'd bastion
of western culture
revered adulated
striving sacrificing
to get here
and soon afterwards
always
wishing she were
somewhere else
Could this be the girl in the painting - running, always running, between city walls?
ReplyDeleteYep...she runs like quick silver and no one has caught her yet:)!
ReplyDeletewhen you get where you think you want and realise it is not that is a scary thing indeed...perhaps as quick as she runs she will escape yet..
ReplyDeleteThe first thing a cat does on entering new territory is to check out an escape route.
ReplyDeleteso what might she be running from/to and which direction shall it be?
ReplyDeleteTo and fro and in all directions I should think:)
ReplyDeleteShe likes marathon events.I envy her. She is never anywhere long ehough to lead a real life.
Oh what a lovely poem of searching and waiting...:)
ReplyDeleteThe last lines and these lines are rock:
in the heat
of the afternoon
off a still baking street
in a walled city
treeless
geraniumless
Btw, your picture's blog (above)is so Indonesia... :)
Terima kasih Nene. I'm entering an Indonesian phase at the moment.
ReplyDeleteart treasur'd bastion
ReplyDeleteof western culture
revered adulated
striving sacrificing
to get here
and soon afterwards
always
wishing she were
somewhere else
I can't tell you how many times I've had this experience. That insidious moment when I realize how much I've sacrificed to appreciate something that doesn't hold meaning for me.
welcome back =)
ReplyDeleteThanks chromaposey..it's not often I have a shared experience:)
ReplyDeleteI've been back a while Ms Chillipops!
ReplyDeleteFor me, this captures the same sense of whimsy that comes with the running of the hula hoop...as innocence is lost to the pervading shadows...hmmm, I'll be left to ponder this one for some time! Truly enjoyed :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your poem.
ReplyDeleteShe is trapped forever in that frozen world
maybe trying to escape or dumb whrling and playing with ideas in that baron world of unknown dangers.
You really made me think about a painting which i have looked at so many times
thankyou
I like your fresh voice and viewpoint. Your poem has a taut and cinematic quality. It pushed me to read others on your blog. Quite a talent. I look forward to reading more. Thank you, Gay
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm stretching the grey matter Natascha. Thank you for visiting.
ReplyDeleteDitto Arron,thank you for visiting
ReplyDeleteHi praise from another talented poet. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteGay.
are we all trying to escape our self made walls ? this is what this poem makes me ask ...really enjoyed it thank you
ReplyDeleteGood question Kez! Thank you for visiting.
ReplyDelete