Followers

Friday 5 December 2014

WRONG TURN

What can I offer you
but fleeting memories
unwittingly stirred:
a forest, with crimson sunset
filtering through tree trunks;
my gift to you - a tiny lizard
carved from pine wood;
and our home of logs
not quite rainproof -
at least, not in the
heaviest of downpours.
And the bluebells in spring -
remember how you picked me a bunch
for our first anniversary?
And how we made love in high summer,
squashing some where they grew
and how I wept for their pain?

Then the snow in winter:
we'd be trapped indoors for weeks,
surviving on love and shared body heat alone
when our food stocks ran out.
"Dear God," you'd exclaim, laughing,
"At least we'll die happy!"

Oh how could you have forgotten all this -
and me,
simply because we were snatched
from Caledonia's past
by an arbitrary whim of fate,
only to be re-born centuries later
on opposite sides of the globe?
When I recognized you on TV the other day,
I wished I had forgotten you too,
because knowing brings irresistible compulsion...


Driving at breakneck speed
along a dusty outback road
in Western Australia.
Spinning tyres throwing up sand and small rocks.
Missing gears - feeling like
Lewis Hamilton on a good day.
Slamming on brakes.
Skidding to a halt.
Jumping out,
door left swinging open,
engine running.
Racing through the open door
of an unknown dwelling
in Meekatharra...
through to the back - instinctively
knowing the way.
Bursting into the bedroom,
running over to the bed, crying,
"Come back to me, please?"

Two pairs of eyes stare at me
in utter bewilderment.
Deeply embarrassed, I hear myself mumble
"Sorry,
I must have taken a wrong turn!"

26 comments:

  1. Hi Ygraine, I wasn't too sure about your reference to Caledonia because I'm not from that neck of the woods; however,after brief investigation I was able to place the context. Same goes for Meekathara. The contrast between these two geographical points threw me like I was on some kind of cinematic rollercoaster ride - all the more relevant when tied up with the theme of taking a wrong turn. I suppose the capacity of the individual to be sucked into a reverie of youthful longing is a powerful urge and I have to admit your poem took me down an adventurous path I don't mind revisiting, of tapping into a trail of memories. I sometimes think it is all we have left. This is how your poem affected me. Anyhow I am on an extended holiday at the moment and will definitely spend more time online and checking out your verses.

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    1. Hi William, so good to hear from you again!
      This was inspired by a movie about reincarnation that I watched many years ago (try as I might, I just can't recall the the name of it:/). It has stuck in my mind ever since...and it had me thinking of how it would be to inexplicably recognize someone from a place I had never visited. Being of an extremely inquisitive nature, I would HAVE to investigate!
      So happy you liked it...and many thanks! :)

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  2. Wonderful. The passion of knowing and then not, so easy to get caught up in. So many emotions presented in this. Love, wanting, tears, ending with a smile.

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    1. I agree...so easy to get caught up in...and all too easy to end in utter embarrassment! *chuckles*
      Many thanks, Anthony...so glad you liked it.:)

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  3. This is really special and amazing Ygraine!

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    1. Oh you are so kind, dear Gloria...thank you so much!
      xxx

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  4. I really like how this played out!

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  5. As expected, you simply owe wow in crafting poetry blended with emotions. I mean it. You know how to give life to each words. Amazing dear Ygraine.

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    1. It's a strange thing, Dumcho, but as I wrote this it seemed more vivid in my mind than if I were writing from an actual experience!
      I have no idea why.:/
      Thank you so much for your kind comment, dear friend...it means so much.:)

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  6. From downpours and snow to what Aborigines call "waterless place" is a huge separation indeed. There is a temporal entanglement here that intrigues me. I have felt this, something like this, but not in such detail. Excellent poem.

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    1. I think I have too, Geo, but never involving such contrasts...I do feel drawn to visit Australia someday though. I find it such a fascinating land - which is why I chose it as the location for this piece.
      So happy you liked it.
      Many thanks :)

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  7. I found your poem beautifully written and heartfelt my friend.

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    1. Oh thank you, Lon...I really appreciate that.

      Hope you are having a great Sunday! :)

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  8. I love your words! I know I say that a lot, but I really do! Truly beautifully written! Big Hugs ;o)

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    1. Sweetie...you have no idea how much your kind words mean to me.
      Thank you, thank you...from my heart.:)

      Big Hugs xxx

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  9. I love the lyricism of the first stanza with the facetiousness of the last two lines. It's a beautiful contrast. I read the poem twice. I savoured it second time around. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Ha...yes...didn't want it to seem too serious!*smiles*
      Really happy you liked it. :)

      Have a great day.

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  10. do you have word verification if you don't then comment disappeared

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    1. No word verification, Sweetie...but I've been having the same problem periodically too. Think it may be a connection problem. :/ xxx

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  11. so here I'll try again those who remember reincarnations are doomed to feel the pain of not being loved by the one you never forgot, i dream of my past, I know the truth of reincarnation, and I know you know it too, and you write oh so beautifully, like a fairy tale, while we both know it's the truth, xxx and hugs

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    1. Yes, although this was inspired by an old movie I watched years ago, I have had similar experiences quite a lot through my life - didn't have the courage to act on them though!
      I know you understand, Sweetie...and it's great to know I'm not alone, so thank you so much...:)

      Big Hugs xxx

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  12. wow. what vivid memories...i was thinking it all sounded wonderful there in the cabin keeping each other warm...though for it to be in the past and such memories brought on by seeing them on tv....

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    1. Ha...yes...would have been much better to stay in that time zone...or else not have remembered at all! ;)

      Many thanks, Brian :)

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  13. Fascinating stuff Ygraine - I do so admire you :)
    Love the change in rhythm between past and present
    and the adorable little twist :)

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    1. It was fun to write, Rose...I'm not really sure where the ending came from though...possibly and over active imagination!! *chuckles*

      Many thanks x

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)