For Sam and Emma
(1:58 am)
It’s always the same nightmare;
a swarm of white envelopes
flapping in my face like angry doves!
Their pale, papery mouths
open to reveal the verdict –
it slithers out like a blackened tongue …
Grades! Grades!
The envelopes shriek at the irony
that a poet should be afraid of letters.
Still they dribble out
a spindly, inked alphabet –
and the elusive ‘A’s stay hidden within!
But what do these harbingers herald;
good news or bad?
Now – no longer a nightmare, but reality;
I’m warming an envelope in my hands…

Comments
threeleafshamrock | August 19, 2009 - 09:59
Hope the 'A'(s) tumble out and the results are full of this sometimes uncommon vowel. Best of luck and be sure to let us know ASAP; we will be near as tense as you by this time tomorrow ;) XXX
threeleafshamrock | August 19, 2009 - 10:00
Forgot to say; Great piece! ;)
tcook | August 19, 2009 - 10:22
A* in English - no doubt. If not, demand a recount.
MistakenMagic | August 19, 2009 - 10:36
Awww thank you Chris - I'll post a comment on here letting you all know!
And thanks for your support Tony ;) They haven't brought A*s in to A level yet so I'm just hoping for an A in my English!
Magic xxx
Beeme | August 19, 2009 - 12:07
Hey Magic, I'm sure you will do fantastically well in all the subjects that you do, if you put as much love and hard work into them: as you do your poems.
Good luck and I'm nervous to, I am getting my GCSE results next thursday! Good luck although I am sure you do not need it.
The poem is brilliant at expressing your anticipation and fear through the imagery.
I loved these lines;
'flapping in my face like angry doves!'
'The envelopes shriek at the irony
that a poet should be afraid of letters.'
Beeme xxx
P.S You'll get an 'A' in english, without a doubt! If you don't complain or something ;) x
MistakenMagic | August 19, 2009 - 12:08
Awww thank you Beeme! Good luck with your GCSEs! My sister gets her results next Thursday too. Make sure you let us all know how you do ;)
Magic xxx
Beeme | August 19, 2009 - 12:16
Your welcome Magic and thanks I'll let you know if they aren't too bad ;) Good luck to your sister x
insertponceyfre... | August 19, 2009 - 16:09
oh goodness mistaken magic - I have been there myself, and now I am there again by proxy as a mother. it's a horrible time - those days just before they arrive - isn't it? Really liked the poem and I wish you and Beeme the best of luck tomorrow and next week for your results : )
MistakenMagic | August 19, 2009 - 19:01
Thank you insert! Oh God I'm absolutely terrified :(
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | August 19, 2009 - 20:30
Keeping everything crossed for you, Magic. Not that I need to;-)
Tina xxxx
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 20:32
new Mistakenmagic
good luck to with your
exam results, one can only
do there best.as I said to Beeme.
This is well explained.
julie cavalcaderit was
11 plus in our times
could do better try harder.
Reports say
julie x cavalcaderl.
MistakenMagic | August 19, 2009 - 20:55
Thank you Julie and Tina! Ah, now less than 12 hours until I'm put out of my misery!
Magic xxx
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 21:30
New Beeme
Hi! all the best with your results Thursday
and your sister and you will do well.Like the
excellent poems ! here, if not I'm sure you have done
your best also your sister and you ,
What a day everyone seems to be arguing
Day centre singing group.I go in garden
quite and some ones shouting out turned 8p.m
as they can here a drill going. singing buses late
I get told to ssh 2 them there.I here bad last week!
and the flat is all hot and windows closed. I am sure world is barmy.On bus yesterday shouldn't say but a child about 8-9 I'm back seat cos high!back and he steps out wide gangway and does a roll fast
about 10 times does it nestles up to whoever with
goes back doing it, nearly feet and body through window.I remarked. I may move this once you read.
4 stops befor station people get on acts out wildly kung fu.she gets ou set cards he is quiet lays across seat.I nearly gotr of station wasn't checked at any time I don't think maybe could talk well even so could been told sit down. I was amazed what I was seeing glad get of.
hot and stuffy. hubby in. Lots bits I bought for Sunday's
Rock.Jive look alikes.
How did the cake go.
bless you don't worry.
julie xx (;-
Nathan Bednarek | August 19, 2009 - 21:41
I am literally shshshshaking! ;-/
My results are coming in on Friday and the closer the dreaded day is the more paranoid I am getting. This poem, although very effective, is somewhat less scary when compared to how I feel ;-p
Hehe, nah, this poem is great! I love the imagery and the tone of the poem. It's worse than a horror movie (not that I watch such movies ;-p). A very enjoyable and frightening read! Well done!
Nathan xox
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 21:45
New Beeme
Sounds ok 2 make sponge. I made one
years ago
boy friend then knew years before
middle fell out so filled
icing took it over as surprise.
My sister mad pie once remembered
mum use put something in it.
We had flat to-gether 6 years younger
fiancee coming pie served green streaky
lines why! she had put plastic egg cup"
in hold it up cause melted?
But she was the cleverer one school
Dad used read all 6 reports hated it!
julie we used to do Train cakes,swiss roll and biscuits etc:smarties eyes. butterfly sponge jellies
sweets stuck in cream stand up like wings.Sister did
hedgehog cake on base. Oh! and a hosue I did.People don't bother much now.Hope you took photos.
I bet few tears whe he saw cake.and to-day too.
julie xx (;- My best eventually was a "Banoffee pie when used to make.
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 21:48
New Nathanbedarek
Yes it is good poem. I am sure as I said to Beeme and Mistakenmagic you all done your best hot
chocolate relax in chair soft1 music can't change anything
good luck
julie xx cavalcaderl
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 21:53
New threeleafshamrock
good luck to you and all of you
waiting exam results you can only do
your best and I'm sure you all have.
Hot chocolate soft music no talking
and early night.
julie x cavalcaderl
Cavalcaderl | August 19, 2009 - 21:57
new Insertponceyfre
Not sure if your taking exams
if so all the best and to all as
said hot chocolate soft music no words
early night. One can only do there best
and I am sure you all ahve
julie xx cavalcaderl
morgan-g | August 19, 2009 - 22:10
Good luck. xxx
My eldest is 17 and we are waiting too!
Eldest is very science/maths orientated (I have no idea how) but I'm incredibly proud of her, no matter what comes in the post.
Anyway, what do you care? You're going to be Poet Laureate! xxxx
MistakenMagic | August 20, 2009 - 09:50
I GOT 4 As !!!!!!! I'm so HAPPY! I also found out I got 100% on my English coursework! :) :) :)
Thank you for all your support everyone!
Magic xxx
Beeme | August 20, 2009 - 09:52
Well done Magic! I knew you would do great XX :)
insertponceyfre... | August 20, 2009 - 11:40
wooh!! congratulations magic! we are also a house of 4 As, including 100% in maths (not my genes) and 97% in religion, philosophy and ethics, so time to unwrap the party rings and open the ginger beer. I hope you have a brilliant celebration today - you deserve it! : ) well done! xxx
MistakenMagic | August 20, 2009 - 12:30
Thank you Beeme and insert! And straight As in your household too! Party all around then :)
Magic xxx
sunshine | August 20, 2009 - 15:23
Wonderful results -very well done. I'm so pleased, but not surprised, that you got full marks for English. Congrats. Margot
Nathan Bednarek | August 20, 2009 - 15:30
Wow... now that's what I call an achievement! Now I'm even more nervous about my results ;-/
Well done again! I'm really happy for you!
Nathan xox
MistakenMagic | August 20, 2009 - 15:41
Thank you Margot and Nathan!!! And good luck for tomorrow Nathan! Got everything crossed for you ;)
Magic xxx
Cavalcaderl | August 20, 2009 - 19:00
New mistakenMagic
well done 4 A's hard work
and 100% english work course.
your sleep to-night.
all the best "Beeme"Nathan,
Morgan-g
Nathan waiting fingers
crossed.No I never was clever.
come on "Beeme" how did yours go.
and anyone I have missed.
julie x (:-
remember it's not the end
of the world.if those don't achieve
what they want. will you go
or do universities.
threeleafshamrock | August 20, 2009 - 19:13
Terrific Magic, well done; off to Uni? Knock 'em dead!
MistakenMagic | August 21, 2009 - 08:49
Thank you again Julie and cheers Chris! I've got another year until Uni but I apply to Oxford this October ;)
Magic xxx
tcook | August 21, 2009 - 10:54
Congratulations - my godson got his 4 As in his A Levels for his place at Durham to read Russian and Italian. What a clever bunch you are. Good luck with your Oxford application.
littleditty | August 21, 2009 - 15:30
Magic -well done. Happy for you :))
MistakenMagic | August 21, 2009 - 17:01
Thank you Tony! Well done to your godson ;)
And thanks LD :)
Magic xxx
Cavalcaderl | August 28, 2009 - 18:29
new Nathanbedarak
waiting to know how you got on,
exam results
julie x (:-
Cavalcaderl | October 8, 2009 - 16:11
New Tony congrats: on your
Godson's results.Russian and
Italian. Papers are saying
going to make exams harder?
julie x cavalcader (:-