You treat the trip like a pilgrimage -
proving your love to her by returning;
a soldier back from the Great War,
knocking on his sweetheart's door.
It wasn't that I didn't like Paris;
the colours lazily reclining on their canvasses
at Montmartre. Gargoyles crawling
up the outstretched fingers
of Notre Dame.
It was her ... with that aggressive,
wide-footed stance, slicing the air
with a black fist, unpicking the stitches
of the sky. Halving the horizon!
Even the clouds curl away into cinders
for fear of her.
She is everything that I am not, and knows it.
Standing slender - a flagpole. A stick!
Peering down at my curves with a smirk.
I wear my hand-knitted cardigan in protest.
Yes - the one you hate! In Paris of all places
I refuse to be chic.
That night, on the cobbles of Sacre Coeur,
I try to embrace you, but you are entranced
by her lights; a million winking eyes all for you.
She is the best dressed by far!
That beautiful backless black number,
covered, head to toe, in stars.
Still I laugh at myself.
'The lights are on, but there's no one home.'
The perfect match. The lighthouse and its keeper!
No, no - don't worry. I'll leave you two alone.
I hope you won't mind if I slip away.
I'm off to shack up with that artist ...
the one who drew my picture today.
Comments
Lem | May 19, 2010 - 17:03
This is wonderful; can't pick an example, I love all the imagery... I really felt like I was there. :)
MistakenMagic | May 19, 2010 - 17:15
Thank you, Lem! I'm really glad you could picture yourself in Paris - it's such a beautiful city and I hope to go back there soon :)
Magic xxx
Ewan | May 19, 2010 - 18:36
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Ewan | May 19, 2010 - 18:37
Only a woman could be jealous of a landmark!
MistakenMagic | May 19, 2010 - 18:51
Awww wow thanks guys! :)
Ewan: No comment but a wry smile ;)
Magic xxx
shoe | May 19, 2010 - 19:11
I really like the conversational tone in this, and of course the wonderful imagery of "Her", wear that cardi with pride I say!
MistakenMagic | May 19, 2010 - 19:14
Thank you Shirley! Glad you enjoyed this ;)
Magic xxx
lenchenelf | May 19, 2010 - 19:32
Lovely wry piece, is it a re-write, seem to recall it from your set last year (befuddled memory) atb Lena xx
Kahdai | May 19, 2010 - 19:54
Lovely stubborn jealousy! A curvy woman in a wooly cardi is a real woman & oughts be proudav it! :) xxK
MistakenMagic | May 19, 2010 - 20:10
Thank you Lena! Don't worry your memory is fine - it is a repost ;)
Magic xxx
MistakenMagic | May 19, 2010 - 20:10
Thanks Kahdai - glad you think so ;)
Magic xxx
rjnewlyn | May 19, 2010 - 22:15
I know what you mean actually. I've always felt 'she' is a bit over-rated. And the views from Sacre Coeur or the Pompidou Centre are much better - not so wide but more connected somehow. So don't let 'her' get you down - she's not worth it. Liked all of this - well-deserved cherry. Rob
MistakenMagic | May 20, 2010 - 06:50
Cheers Rob! And you're right - the view from the steps of Sacre Coeur is just breath-taking!
Magic xxx
Beeme | May 20, 2010 - 19:30
Very much enjoyed this Magic, it is very, very beautiful in my opinion. I agree with Rob don't let her get you down. Well done on the cherry- richly deserved in my opinion. :)
Beeme xx
MistakenMagic | May 20, 2010 - 21:28
Thank you Beeme! ;)
Magic xxx
Curse of 222 | May 20, 2010 - 22:19
awesome! (you know i mean it.)
"unpicking the stitches of the sky" ...one of just several excellent images.
jason
MistakenMagic | May 20, 2010 - 22:33
Thanks Jason! Awesome or dead awesome? ;)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | May 20, 2010 - 22:52
Missed this one entirely. One of your very best, dear Magic. Took my breath away, quite literally.
You never cease to amaze me;-)
Tina xxx
MistakenMagic | May 21, 2010 - 08:25
Thank you, Tina! I hope your breath has returned ;)
Magic xxx
Curse of 222 | May 21, 2010 - 19:43
dead awesome! of course.
jason
MistakenMagic | May 21, 2010 - 22:51
Hehe of course ;)
Magic xxx
Nolan | May 25, 2010 - 20:49
Don’t know her, but I know her kind,
“She is everything that I am not, and knows it.
Standing slender - a flagpole. A stick!”
'The lights are on, but there's no one home.'
(Reisies Hoender)
Firebird | May 26, 2010 - 09:54
What a joy to read x lovely poem Magic x:)
MistakenMagic | May 27, 2010 - 16:21
Thank you Nolan and Firebird! :)
Magic xxx
kheldar | May 28, 2010 - 23:22
Curse of 222 summed this up perfectly - "awesome" !!!
Brilliant stuff.
David xx :--)
MistakenMagic | June 1, 2010 - 15:55
Thank you, David! Glad yu like this one ;)
Magic xxx
Cavalcaderl | June 1, 2010 - 17:59
new MistakenMagic
Well done on the cherry!
fantastically done.I agree
to,imagery story everything
brill;
julie xx
MistakenMagic | June 1, 2010 - 18:13
Thank you, Julie ;)
Magic xxx
Cavalcaderl | June 1, 2010 - 18:32
new MistakenMagic
Thankyou so much spotting,that and all mistakes
corrected now.Stronger medicine creams on,neck working at last.Someone had kindly answered this from last year,on the track.So all re-done now,bits now.
Computer lights up Capitals and when not needed.
all the best
julie xx
darkenwolf | August 28, 2010 - 21:19
nice twist at the end; excellent as always
;)