On September the 13th 2004 I painted my front door pink.
I remember it - http://abctales.com/node/538670 - I wrote about it.
Today I painted my front door a sensible colour. A greyish greenish stylish shade. I feel depressed about it.
People don't buy houses with bright pink doors. People buy houses with sensible stylish contemporary doors.
I was just finishing painting it at around the time everyone arrived home and we more or less had a funeral in the street. The neighbours with long faces. A couple of them agreed it looked smaller.
I think it is less brave, less honest. Like the interior which has turned over the last year as neutral as can be - no colour left - as though the character and personality have leeched out.
We are drawing in. Gathering. Preparing to move on. Pink doors were symbolic of a freedom, they go along with VW campers and taking lovers. A thing of the past.
My hot pink (Salsa!) bedroom with the orange woodwork and yellow ceiling is Wheatgrass with Cream White ceilings and Pure Brilliant White wood. My bright red hall is white, my pea green bathroom, white - my rich blue kitchen - you guessed it.
The rugs are furled, the knick knacks stored, the table bare.
I never ever thought I would even think of buying a table runner.
Comments
Sooz006 | February 9, 2008 - 14:38
Oh wow, I remember it first time around ... so good to read you again mate. What a blast from the past that was ...all the comments on the original have gone ... but I so remember reading it.
Thanks for that.
Tell you whsat htough, I had no idea what a table runner was. Figured at first it might be some piece of excercise equipment and then enlightenment dawned. I bet it's one of those long table cloth things, like the ones that run the length of an alter.
So the fish has had to grow up eh? That's so not fair, revolt, rebel, regress. I remember being quite envious of your hot pink door.
drew_gummerson | February 12, 2008 - 09:25
Nice piece. You should send it to a home sellers magazine.
x
HaiAnh | February 12, 2008 - 16:12
I wish the pink door or brightly coloured house was more sellable than brick. I agreed with the sentiment in this poem, make sure when you move house that your new door gets painted.
In terms, of writing style and the way you express your point, it is done in a very charasmatic way. This is not the type of poem where it leaves you cold. It is the kind of poem where you get a very strong sense of voice.
One thing I might change - the last line of the second stanza to 'People buy houses with sensible doors'. You could almost repeat senisble to describe almost every change thus making your point. In contrast, the description of the house as was could as you have done emphasize the colours with things such as 'salsa', flamboyant, etc.. Don't loose the title of the paints though - that is a great touch.
I very much enjoyed reading this poem.
tcook | February 13, 2008 - 13:19
This strikes a real chord - my lovely deep red sitting room, our bright blue bedroom, our green and yellow kitchen - all have to be neutralised over the next couple of years as we begin to prepare to sell and move on. It'll break my heart.
ivoryfishbone | February 14, 2008 - 22:45
Many thanks for the comments people. I didn't even know they were here!
Haianh - I didn't think it was a poem - but it's nice to hear it described as such.
xxx
lwilkinson | February 15, 2008 - 12:27
This is great - I do like your work. I remember hearing you read at an ABC event in London some years back now... Anyway, this lovely piece resonates with me. But it is possible to sell a house with a non-sensible coloured front door! I did, two years ago now... The door was a bright kiddie purple and the smug estate agent said we would HAVE to change it. I'd had the interior painted taupe throughout, and something clicked and I rebelled. We sold the house in four days! But doubtless this was a fluke.
gristo | February 16, 2008 - 10:02
Not surprised that this got a cherry. A really thoughtful iece about something small yet incredibly significant. Really enjoyed reading it!