A RETROSPECTIVE

looking back

I swig down two glasses of sherry

and momentarily I am in utopia

my innards warm, my cheeks pink

my lips sweet and a bit sticky

yet my mind a lovely blur of  figures

dance before my eyes, my soldier’s

arms around me

we leave the hospital and walk into the fog

so not a soul shall see us

further, my fling with the gentleman

so unexpected, so genuine

 

The effects of the sherry fade and my mind

begins to focus with respect to my situation at hand

my eyes catch the clock hands which  are steady at eleven o’clock in the evening

now I am fully fueled to finish my packing

while I am in this modality, confused emotions

suffuse my brain

sometimes I wish the ship shall never dock

other moments I anticipate the debarkation

I think back to all the days on board

and I dare say this was an adventure

to be reminisced, the highs and the lows

 

One thing I discern, is that I have gained weight

yet who does not ? on a 14-day crossing?

three lovely meals per day, served immaculately

tasty and plentiful, an abundance of champagne

though not enough physical exercise

My clothes are rather tight

a full-blown diet is about to penetrate my belly

or maybe it could be something else?

I shall have to check the calendar

yet I shall not think about any other

possibilities at this moment

my head shall spin off its axis

at midnight slumber creeps over me

a satin coverlet is my partner tonight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

SERIES:" AT BRIDGES END"
Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Vol]

Betty,
These are the best reminiscences, the ones that tickle our fancy, beckon us back to a bubble of time when everything is suspended like some great mobile and waiting four our breath to set things spinning. Traumas be damned! Who wants to go there? No, give me satin coverlet. Every time!
Vol

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Vol for the visit and your charming review,
much appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful use of the senses.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Thomas, appreciated
Warmly, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Betty... we were born with an Appetite... including a sexual appetite.
I have heard Sea Air is good for the Body and Soul. Your Reportoire is amazing. softly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Dearest Pat, thank you for your so appropriate and poetic reviews....
Warmly, B

[Chris]

BTW - "Welcome back Betty."

Real or Memorex doesn't come to play here. The lines build and evolve into "heart-full" moments that will intertwine lives and what more could we as poets desire? You left a smile behind my eyes - thank you.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much for that “smiley review, loved it!
Warmly, B.

[Stella Armour]

The fruits of love maybe Betty, I have feeling that keeping this secret will keep him close to her even if and when they part... she doesn't have to tell ( does she?)

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Stella for your keen perceptions and a lovely review!
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

i enjoy these chapters Betty :)

[Betty Hermelee]

So glad you're enjoying them Stella, makes me feel it's all worthwhile!!!
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

sometimes i forget to watch for them .... please let me know if i do :)

[Betty Hermelee]

I will, you won't miss the "soap opera"

[peter Charlesworth]

OOoo
A14 day trip of too much good foo and wine to follow

Its a real pity that it had to end

ALTHOUGH

If it hadn't none of your clothes would fit

We sailed away for a year and a day - OR did we????

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Peter for your astute review,
Much appreciated
Warmly
B.

[emmajoygreen]

How did I miss this, Betty?!

Oh my, how can one ignore a certain possibility in your above words?! Tis true, a cruise ship offers feasts near day long, would be easy to put on weight unless one runs miles every day on deck but, would the lady, a lady, do such a thing?!

Can only imagine our heroine, the main character, is wondering whether or not she dare look at her calendar. Does she ignore possibilities, think of recent past, think ahead? Ooops?

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Em, maybe she just ate too much; I gained 4 pounds on my last cruise; eating plays a large part of cruising ( sailing); but we shall see if it’s food or something else,
Thanks again for your keen mind!
Hugs
B.

[Arundass TP]

A well written philosophically blended poem. Keep it up friend 💯

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your fine review, appreciated
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

Have our sins unexpectedly caught up with us? Our heroine is thinking conflicted thoughts when her mind begins to consider her weight gain, especially in the midsection. She realizes she hasn't checked the calendar lately. Is she late? At this point, she is still able to shuffle the possibilities to the back of her mind and get a good night's sleep. We will see whether she will be able to maintain that stance.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re really catching on John…. Very intuitive!
Warmly, B

[Soren]

It is at the end of the journey that we have to look back at what has been accomplished and whether it was worth the effort and what is now to happen. This seems a balance point in your story and one of reflection or better yet a retrospective as you have titled it.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Soren, all appreciated!
Warmly, B