In a Secondhand Shop in Lewes

Up in the attic,

somewhere between a

red retro soda siphon and

brown leather samsonite

that’s stood the test of time,

I recline on leather wingback chair,

colour matched to suitcase, and

watch you sift through vinyl,

fingers deftly flicking covers

two rows at a time

like a child bounds up stairs.

 

Reaching out, I pick up

a clear glass orb, 

lift it to eye level and

examine the air bubbles

inside like champagne

caught mid fizz.

The sun streams,

through wall to wall skylights,

exploding on contact

with this sheer sphere,

shattered light splinters

off in all directions

showering us in

spinning shimmer.

We are in our very own

giant snowglobe,

particles reflect

refract and ricochet

all over and around,

rooting us to the spot,

transfixed, scintillant.

 

We leave the shop with

one paper weight,

wrapped in white tissue

paper, a pot of briwax,

book of Spike Milligan’s

unpublished writings and 

something else,

nameless, priceless.

Reviews

[J.P.O.et]

Been a while, eh. I really like this sublime snapshot. You are an absolute master of alliteration which you demonstrate in this piece.
'reflect, react, ricochet'
and the s's all over with 'sheer sphere' through 'spinning shimmer' etc. Nicely worded and indeed priceless as you say. Hmmmm, who is this Spike Milligan. Well done.

J.P.O.et

[Angel's Lady]

nameless, priceless --- seamless as well...infinity squared.

Great write!

[mope]

Lots of lovely curios in this. I feel the urge to point them out as I browse. But I fear I'll break them. Thanks.

[Coyote Poetry]

I like those second hand stores. I found a cassette with Jim Morrison reading poetry from the late sixties once and great old books. The story was very good. The description was entertaining. A excellent poem.
Coyote

[Murphy]

So full of life...your lines are as sharp as ever. Very nice

[An owl on the moon]

Your descriptions here are exquisite, bringing alive the scene to us with vivid detail... What beautiful expressions, and the magic of the place lit with such enchantment! Felt as if it could be expanded into even more. Wonderful!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

We are in our very own
giant snowglobe,
particles reflect
refract and ricochet
all over and around,
rooting us to the spot,
transfixed, scintillant.

such deeply profound thinking in this metaphoric wonder... we are each a small part of this world capable of achieving big things if we use the gifts we are given.
Really beautiful work.

[R J Askew]

Supurb snapshot of a moment of life when as was well, you were relaxed and your poet's eye was taking it all in. The resultant outcome is delightful, with, we assume, the 'something else'being lurve which may be found in the strangest of places. The line about child/stairs is my fave, as it denotes youthful positivism. Yet the setting may also remind us how how we are and how all ends up in such places. But the fact love is also to be found there is the key message and that is positive and life affirmative.