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!"

[emmajoy]

Am i allowed to smile?! I have friends like that.. so kind when life is hell, so nosey when life is... less exciting than it might be!

You've wrapped a great story here.. a poem's moment in the life of - Times come and go, thoughts fluster around, indecision is an intricate mess of.. what next!

You write with natural feelings, there's no pretending, just how it is.. Your poetry is real

[R J Askew]

Ach, more than one of life's various interfaces captured in the mirror of poetry here. Friends and family tend not to understand creative folk. It's as if we have a mysterious ailment with no name.