“Come inside, why don’t you? You’ll catch your death out there.
Can I tempt you with a promise of food and wine to share?
I only charge ten quid a night – it’s a modest price to pay.
There’s hot and cold in every room and clean towels every day."
Beggars can’t be choosers – seemed an average B & B,
and she was nice, to say the least, with a face I’m sure I’d seen.
“I think we’ve met somewhere before” I really had to say,
so she laughs and quips she hears that line at least ten times a day.
She rustles up some fish and chips then suggests a game of crib
I hadn’t played in years, I said, and told her she would win.
She pours me out a Whisky Mac – enquires, ‘Would I like ice?’
Suggests we take a little break, if I felt that way inclined.
She walks towards a sideboard – takes a book from out the drawer,
I sip my drink and wonder where on earth we’d met before.
She sits right down beside me, and smoothes her velvet dress
and then begins to read out loud as if, somehow, possessed.
“So long I’ve waited for this day, since first I wrote your part.
Remember, you must speak your lines, not say what’s in your heart.
The orchestra’s assembled now, the overture begins.
It’s time for Fate to play her part in the Grand Scheme of Things.”
I’d heard that quote before somewhere, so I ask her what she’d read,
and all the while the room spins round as the Scotch goes to my head.
She doesn’t seem to hear me though – her thoughts seem miles away,
as she stares toward the burning logs that crackle in the grate.
The clock strikes ten when she suggests she pours us one drink more,
so tops up both our glasses, puts the book back in the drawer.
Our game of crib abandoned – find it hard to concentrate,
I say maybe some other time, if I was round this way again.
She seems upset and said she’d hoped that Fate would be more kind –
not by chance I’d missed my train and she’d seen me walk on by.
I tell her I am stony broke, so I’d better leg it home;
she looks me in the eyes and says, “I beg you, please don’t go.”
She tells me I’m the ‘chosen one’, the one she’s waited for.
Fate is in my hands, she says, as she bolts the mullioned door.
“Come here and lay beside me, loose the ribbon from my hair.
Can I tempt you with the promise of Eternity to share?”
Comments
skinner_jennifer | December 28, 2011 - 14:57
Hi Tina,
this is so unusual and mysterious, you have even
given it a good rhythm and rhyme.
You have certainly given these two people an air
of mystery.
as usual Tina you've excelled yourself. Thankyou for sharing.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | December 28, 2011 - 17:20
Thanks, Jenny. This is a poem I have literally been working on for years, and years even.
Pleased you enjoyed it so much. It makes it more than worthwhile;-)
Tina
jolono | December 28, 2011 - 19:52
Tina, really liked this, but I'd like a few more verses otherwise I won't be able to sleep!
Denzella | December 28, 2011 - 19:57
Yes, a skilful yet mysterious poem that makes one want to read and re-read it to fathom it out. Well done Tina.
Silver Spun Sand | December 28, 2011 - 21:22
Hi, jolono;-)
I hope you finally do get some sleep...but I shall see what I can do.
Many thanks;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | December 28, 2011 - 21:23
Mystery and imagination; wonderful things;-)
Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina;-)
scratch | December 29, 2011 - 00:32
SSS SOS! I share all of the above comments especially the ones about wanting more.
Silver Spun Sand | December 29, 2011 - 08:23
Thanks, scratch;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | December 29, 2011 - 13:50
Pulled me right in from the first line, Tina! The rhyme scheme works really well to add to the driving desire to get to the finish, and you are left wanting to know more! A new style for you, Tina, I like it very much :-)
Magic xxx
MistakenMagic | December 29, 2011 - 13:51
P.S. I hope you had a great Christmas!
Silver Spun Sand | December 29, 2011 - 14:06
Thanks so very much, Magic...both for the Christmas wishes, and for reading this one.
Pleased you liked. It has been quite a challenge over the years;-)
Tina xxx
Highhat | December 29, 2011 - 15:20
Is the quote someone we should know? This is very good Tina- I agree with Jenny- very mysterious- want to know more..
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | December 29, 2011 - 17:04
There's a very good chance you know the 'someone' in question, Pia, but more than that I shall not say;-)
So pleased you enjoyed this one, and thanks for your lovely comment. I have been dabbling around with this one for so long, you just couldn't imagine;-)
Tina;-)
Highhat | December 30, 2011 - 19:33
Now I am guessing and you mustn't scold me for being way off mark but.. it isn't by any chance a Hamlet monologue?
Ups otherwise you will have to tell me! Please Tina-
Happy New Year
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | December 31, 2011 - 13:41
Now as if I would scold you, Pia;-)
On the other hand, I might say, 'To be or not to be, that is the question', but I shan't.
The long and the short of it is, it was just something I concocted for this very poem...but that was about ten years ago now, so I have no idea what initially inspired me. Maybe it was, indeed, Hamlet.
Have a great New Year yourself, Pia. As for us, as you can imagine, today is rather poignant for myself and my husband, but we shall listen to the fireworks at midnight and think to ourselves, where have the last four years gone? Time goes so quickly, and it's up to all of us to 'seize the day', indeed.
Tina;-)
Highhat | December 31, 2011 - 14:11
Carpe Diem
lots of love
Pia