I would not choose you, your habit
of arriving on your bike, tearing off your sweater
like a boy would - up, over your head
so it takes your shirt too, showing me
long muscles of your back
I can't take my eyes off
but each time we're drawn, gravity or some science
bringing us together, in whatever room
bumping gently, finding we are knee to knee
foot to foot - or once me sitting, arms wide
you kneeling at my feet.
I would not choose you, the speed you talk
the way you bounce round rooms - a powerball -
talk 90 mph of books and games
and fill the room with sparks
gesture with those massive hands
I can't stop looking at
but I'm aware of you - can't shake
that feeling when I approach that
our arms are open, the sheer silliness
of measuring up our boots, side by side
yours twice as wide
is wholesome. Nice.
Comments
mykle | March 18, 2008 - 23:16
It's very good as always Fish.
Sometimes the one you wouldn't choose is the one you need and, if you're fortunate, fate takes a hand and throws you together often enough to realise that this is the one to choose after all.
anipani | March 19, 2008 - 08:58
i liked this alot, the poem took me right there, no explaining when it feels right. Lucky poet.
Ewan | March 19, 2008 - 14:38
Lovely, especially the third stanza...
A nice sense of pragmatic romance and the ambivalence of attraction.
It makes me laugh when we sometimes say of other couples "Why are they together?" Why would we know, when they often don't know themselves?
Ewan
ivoryfishbone | March 19, 2008 - 16:25
Many thanks for your comments folks!
phase2 | March 26, 2008 - 22:28
that feeling when I approach that
our arms are open
you are SO CLEVER at expressing things, and your wonderful musical way with words always makes me feel enriched
Yutka | March 28, 2008 - 18:58
Those denying lines "I would not choose you" very clever indeed and awakens a reader's curiosity. I am charmed by this poem, it leaves a feeling of warmth and has a lovely ending, especially that last line: is wholesome, nice - a total feel-good-poem.
And don't we all love a happy ending?
Greatly enjoyed.
Yutka:)
HaiAnh | April 19, 2008 - 21:07
very strong sense of voice and rhythm. a lovely poem. x
Richard L. Prov... | March 17, 2009 - 01:43
A great poem, full of energy. Keep the words bouncing. Richard LP