Abstractions

Of late, I have been a little distracted.

My mind filled with thoughts of 

wild flowers and freshly sprung grass 

slanting to a newly formed sun;

aware in a deeper distraction

that biological imperative

had passed its zenith

and that my one miracle, is
one more than many are gifted.

"You ought to get yourself a man,"

she said, the scent of Paco Rabanne

mingling with the more piquant aroma

of freshly ground Sidamo coffee bean.

"You'd probably get invited out more 

if you did, and us girls would feel safer;

(a giggle softening the delicately aimed barb.)

"Are you still writing by the way?"

this asked casually. 

"Not as much as I used to," I said.

"I'm probably over thinking as usual.

"Have you got anybody in mind?

You usually do."  

"That artist chap is nice," she said.

"You know who I mean. He put on
that super exhibition at the
village festival last year. 

He was in the pub with Rob at
the weekend and asked about you;

anyway darling, I must dash,

hairdressers at two. I'll see

you on Thursday as per, ok."

"He's a little abstract for me,"

I said quietly, to an elegantly

departing back. 

Thinking about wild flowers
and freshly sprung grass,
rather than the mundanity
of putting out the rubbish bin;
and that I already had a
man in my life, albeit,
still yet not fully grown.

I simply needed a lover
from time to time,

but had thought it wise not to

mention this to my best friend.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love this! I love how you tell the story so completely (great dialogue) yet there are nuances we must "figure out" (i.e. reference to your son). I feel as you describe, a bunch lately, after being numbed out by so much fomenting here in the USA over recent months. I live alone in the wilderness where we've only had 1.5 inches of rain since last spring & it doesn't seem like winter at all (except for chilly morns). Let suffice to say I love your poem becuz it describes how easily I get distracted by reflections upon springtime & also becuz people try to tell me how I should live all the time & it just rolls off my mind without sinking in! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

I get told fairly often, that I ought to 'settle down, get a man,' and this poem was based on a conversation I had with someone I have known since primary school.
It's mostly women who tell me such, though the odd opportunist male occasionally pops a head above the parapet and declares his undying love, (more for a nice comfortable billet to eke out the next couple of decades, I suspect, rather than being bowled over by little old me.)

I take it all in good part, and like you I just let it roll off me. :))

Beccy. X

[barleygirl]

I'm 64 & never married & I hate when people say (all the time): "It's such a shame that a pretty girl like you never got married!"

[Eddie Phillips]

Beccy I love your post and your use of words. They have a charm to them and a hilarity that is rare in today's writing.

[Cyd]

I like this, I know the feeling. Sounds like many writers can related, stuck in our heads and putting some dramatic flare to our words. And women telling other women to get a man (or a kid) like that is the only way to live your life, sigh...

I think I got this one. It was a nice read even for us that are blind to poetry

[alanwgraham]

I really like your intimate and very truthful glimpse into your mind. Your writing has nestled comfortably between poetry and prose which I like myself. You've caught well how our motivations change with our circumstances.
Well written!
Regards,
Alan

[Ken Simm.]

I can see the face of the protagonist as she speaks this in her mind. I can see the whimsical smile. I think that is what attracted me to it as a piece..... the whimsy.

[Lyn Anderson]

Hmmm. We live a long time trying to sort out if we are doing what we want or what we think others want us to be doing. Sounds like you have it figured out.

[Beccy]

Thank you all for your lovely comments.

The man in my life is of course Charlie, my son, now ten and growing like a weed. :))

Beccy.

[Gee]

Albeit still not fully grown....love that. Think most of us men could relate to that. A lovely pice of writing, if lovely can be used to describe

[Terpsichore]

I can see the picture you paint clear as day; two friends sitting drinking coffee, one chattering busily away, the other mostly listening, evaluating, existing on a different, deeper level of awareness.

Enjoyed this very much.
T

[CD Campbell]

I do like the style in which this was written. Being able to look through the small window of the poets life in metaphor and in dialogue is gratifying. Well penned from my view. The thing about taking a " lover " from time to time is that eventually one of those becomes serious and then we start to feel that history is repeating itself. I think as poets we sign on to this tragic soulmate fantasy business at a young age. Maybe it's from all those Keats and Shelley poems we consumed and regurgitated on our friends. It has scarred us. But like every double edge sword; on the flip side, those same sentiments have made us bright stars in a dark night. Haha, I'm getting carried away. Good Job! Cheers Beccy!