It is for you
29/10/2012 § 7 Comments
Is that you
flying off my shoulder
tapping on my knees?
Is that you?
Food left on a plate
is for you.
Come
come closer
it is for you.
They found a wrist watch
in your inside pocket
broken
straps missing
the golden wrist watch
you brought for her
from Germany
and a black and white photograph
of you two
together
porcelain still.
Come
come closer
the food is for you.
Remember our autumn walk?
We stood over a fox
alive with worms
and we talked about death.
Remember?
Remember?
Is that you
flying off my shoulder
tapping on my knees?
Is that you?
I’ll come tomorrow
and bring more.
such long waits between your poems; but then they arrive, read in a minute, and they stain the retina for weeks until just before the next one …
I like the ‘sandwich’ nature of this: the middle vignette / lifetime was ‘scened’ deftly, but then … I return to the ‘flying off my shoulder / tapping on my knees’ refrain – I thought you were talking about a pet cat at first, but no – branches, undergrowth, it is the movement of them that makes you ask ‘is that you?’ … grave, his grave?, the fox’s grave …?; the sandwich has deepening fillings …
I’m sorry, this is probably embarassing, but I love your poetry
Thank you M Lewis. No, not at all embarrassing. I appreciate your comments.
I know that it’s a long wait between my poems and I wish I had more time for writing.
The poem is dedicated to my father. My grandfather used to leave food on his plate as his offerings to dead people he loved. It had a huge impact on me when I was a child and I still annoy some not finishing all food on my plate.
aha, now there are tasty pickles in the sandwich
Reblogged this on mlewisredford and commented:
this is so utterly plaintive; and honest; and lived; so many of the poems on elimelike’s blog are like going through a favourite grandparent’s coat pockets to see what you can find – they are all ‘for you’ if you have the love; I love Emina’s work
Thank you very much for such nice words on my work and for your support.
Lovely, I greet
I think the refrain as you use it is effective in poetry just like in hymns and oratory.