Anywhere can be beautiful
with the appropriate filter
think back
doesn’t the sun sway and sparkle?
On those kerbstones during seven silent weeks
broken by the occasional bee of a car
ambling and nodding
or wasp of a motorcycle
You swat them away
continue to play tennis on the road
if the ball hits the pavement
it’s out
Cricket is for the back garden
improvised stumps give against sweating turf
fall backwards
melted birthday cake candles
The fallen dead-headed roses
bruised eyes
roll into the grid onto hedge cuttings
still taut with life
By the final week all life moves to a single beat
Tin Roof Blues skimmed from a brass shell
pours itself over the window ledge
like forgiveness
An ant in warm tarmac
you climb into your uniform hoping
for reprieve
on that final chill Monday
Kirsty Gillies is a wage slave who writes poems and short stories whenever she gets a good idea. She wishes the good ideas would come more frequently…
11 Responses to “SUBURBAN ECHO • by Kirsty Gillies”
Comments
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June 16th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Very atmospheric poem. Took me back to my childhood!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:13 am
I sunk into this one completely. Very nice.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Beautifully relaxing and evocative, then the cold shudder of the last line. Very enjoyable!
June 16th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Beautiful visions and memories.
–dj
June 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Almost too much on the first reading; the second time through I liked it much better. By the third reading I was hooked. Well done!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Perfect back-to-school poem.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Absolutely superb. Lovely atmosphere.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Very evocative. Brings back so many memories of childhood summers.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Love the beginning – lures you in! Very stirring, lovely lines esp.:
On those kerbstones during seven silent weeks
and
By the final week all life moves to a single beat
Tin Roof Blues skimmed from a brass shell
pours itself over the window ledge
like forgiveness
So much to love – a 5 from me!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Overflowing with sweet nostalgia. Lovely!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Much appreciated!