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Dali's Clock

Posted by MistakenMagic on August 21, 2011 - 16:43
from the ABC set Who's Afraid of Pablo Neruda?

The trains rattle over the viaduct,
the boiler bangs and clicks its tongue;
restless in its red cupboard over the sink.

I lie awake, surprised by the sheer randomness
of memory. My mind, like an old projector,
flashes scenes on the wall opposite my bed;
smoking roll-ups in the back of Christian's car,
lying on the lawns of Wadham College, Oxford,
not knowing those angel-shaped shadows
I left in the grass would be
the best impressions I made there.

*

My parents bought me a clock in the style of Salvador Dali.
All painted plastic, parading as metal and glass.
I was mildly fascinated by it in a gift shop in North Wales -
it wasn't a hint, but my mother took it as such.

Now it melts over the edge of my book shelf;
a fried egg creeping, slithering, from the pan.
I suppose it is Ibsenian, that this is a motif for my life.

Marvell had something to say on the subject too:
"Had we but world enough and time..."
But that's the problem; we don't - we are in Time's debt, and sooner or later
we'll have to repay our loan.

I knew, of course - it was scrawled
all over your face when you walked in;
not this time. Not ever. Period.
I'll pretend I'm OK with that until it's true,
even if it takes years.

*

Remember how we slid to the edge of the bed that first time?
We hung over the duvet like Dali’s clock, my neck curving back;
a bridge for your mouth to wander over.

And then how we lay, top and tailing on the sheets,
like the Gemini sign, fingers entwining to make
our own centre of gravity, our own little sphere.

*

After you have left me, I run myself a bath.
Sitting in the water, my big toe circling the tap,
I read Toni Morrison: "It was as if she were afraid
she had hallucinated him and needed proof to the contrary.
His absence was everywhere..."

I fear that I loved you so much I made you up.
Wrapped in a towel, I look for evidence
of your being here; your empty coffee mug
on the table, a pound coin on the kitchen floor
shaken from your jeans...

*

I turn twenty in two months. I wonder what it will be like
to spend the rest of my life never quite getting over you...

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

maggyvaneijk | August 21, 2011 - 18:31

What a mini-masterpiece this is, there's lots for the reader to unfold and ponder over. I enjoyed all the references too, it grounds the piece in a history of love (and the downfall of it).

MistakenMagic | August 21, 2011 - 20:38

Thank you, Maggy! Glad you liked the references - it's my degree, it gets into everything ;-)

Magic xxx

Highhat | August 22, 2011 - 06:16

Yes this has your signature all over it Magic- just brilliant.

;)Pia

Silver Spun Sand | August 22, 2011 - 07:59

This one sure does have your hallmark stamped all over it, Magic. Well done;-)

Tina xxx

MistakenMagic | August 22, 2011 - 09:07

Thank you, Pia! Glad you think so ;-)

Magic xxx

MistakenMagic | August 22, 2011 - 09:09

Thanks, Tina! I'm really getting into this new prosetry style of mine, but obviously still trying to keep the essence of Magic! :-)

Thanks for the cherries, cherry fairies!

Magic xxx

shoe | August 22, 2011 - 10:25

I love that opening verse, and then I wonder how! how do you fit it all in so eloquently, very magic!

FTSE100 | August 22, 2011 - 10:45

You're quite good at this poetry stuff, aren't you? ;-) Brilliant!

Paul

MistakenMagic | August 22, 2011 - 10:56

Thanks, Shirley! I did have to cut a few bits out of this one to make it flow better - you'll find them in my next poem, I think ;-)

Magic xxx

MistakenMagic | August 22, 2011 - 10:57

Hehe, glad you think so, Paul! Thanks for commenting :-)

Magic xxx

tcook | August 22, 2011 - 16:24

This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day.

Join us on Facebook at ABCtales.com

Join us on Twitter @tcookabctales

Get a great reading recommendation most days.

insertponceyfre... | August 22, 2011 - 18:02

Very good pick Tony . Well done magic- I really enjoyed this

MistakenMagic | August 22, 2011 - 18:15

Thank you so much, Tony! You've made my day :)

Thanks for reading, insert, glad you enjoyed!

Magic xxx

MistakenMagic | August 23, 2011 - 13:00

Thank you, Barry! :)

Magic xxx

barryj1 | August 23, 2011 - 14:21

I really like the storybook quality here,... the way you offer up a complete novella's worth of impressions and imagery in such a claustrophobic space. Beautiful, evocative writing as usual.

"I turn twenty in two months. I wonder what it will be like to spend the rest of my life never quite getting over you..."

Yes, but you got to cherish the experience along with the tennuous memories.

ScoZen | August 23, 2011 - 16:04

Brilliant MM.
Well done on the cherry.

MistakenMagic | August 23, 2011 - 16:07

Thanks for reading, ScoZen! :)

Magic xxx

Luly Whisper | August 24, 2011 - 18:55

Marvellously vivid.

MistakenMagic | August 24, 2011 - 22:39

Thank you, Luly!

Magic xxx

RachelPatricia | September 1, 2011 - 10:40

'And then how we lay, top and tailing on the sheets,
like the Gemini sign, fingers entwining to make
our own centre of gravity, our own little sphere.'

- another Magic classic, and I adore these lines!

Wonderful stuff, as always :)

Rachel xx

MistakenMagic | September 1, 2011 - 16:19

Thank you, Rachel! I added those lines into one of the later drafts so I'm glad you like them :)

Magic xxx

rjnewlyn | September 1, 2011 - 22:30

Well the second section's my favourite - a crazy jumble of things that sort of makes perfect sense although I'm not sure why (or quite what Ibsenian implies - but it sounds good). I know what you mean about Time's debt ... Well done (again)!

Rob

MistakenMagic | September 1, 2011 - 22:37

Thanks, Rob! Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian playwright, said that life was full of symbolism - I had to write an essay about it in my first term. I find my degree finds its way into everything in my life these days ;-)

Magic xxx

MaggieG | September 1, 2011 - 22:39

Oh my Lord Young Lady ! If I had been half as talented as you at your age ?

Very very impressive :)

MistakenMagic | September 1, 2011 - 22:42

Thank you, MaggieG :) And welcome to Abctales!

Magic xxx

fatboy74 | September 4, 2011 - 00:19

a delight to find this one magic - sensuous and full of the aching aftermath of love, I sometimes forget how young you are and how you should not be writing stuff this good at your age. wonderful. :-)

MistakenMagic | September 4, 2011 - 16:19

Thanks so much, fatboy! :-) Young? Pah! I don't feel so young anymore - I turn twenty in a month. Can't believe I'll never be a teenager again!

Magic xxx

skinner_jennifer | September 6, 2011 - 14:25

Hi Magic,

I can't think how I missed this beautiful piece of
work, you seem to be on top form with your writing,
and how you inspire.

If you turn twenty in two months time, you must be
either a Libra or a Scorpio, my son's a Scorpio,
October 23rd. But I think with your artistic talant
for writing, I would put you, at being a Libra.

Your name certainly shines through in your work
and I think you were well deserved of the cherries
and facebook of the day. Well done.

Jenny.

MistakenMagic | September 6, 2011 - 15:23

Thanks, Jenny! I was wonderfing when you'd get round to visiting me ;-) I am indeed a Libra - my birthday is October 9th! Glad you enjoyed this one :-)

Magic xxx

Kahdai | October 17, 2011 - 18:07

definatley still keeping the essence of Magic! :) good to change styl aslong as you can change back! remember age does not affect a strong mind x

MistakenMagic | October 18, 2011 - 22:42

Thanks for reading, Kahdai! :-)

Magic xxx