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Friday 13 February 2015

GIRL ON A WALL



An old wall stands
lichen covered and overgrown
with couch grass and ivy,

it's antiquity apparent
from the crumbling fragility
of stonework and lintel.

Where it meets the wooden fence
it forms a boundary between eras:
ancient Cowdray House and modern road

to the rear of which lies
inviting parkland dotted with oaks
and unmown grass beneath -

but access to it's cool shade
is denied to general public
by ornate wrought iron railings.

In this tranquil scene she sits
in maroon jeans and black sweater,
this seventeen-year-old on the wall,

gazing shyly into the camera lens.
What is her story? What does her future hold?
Does she really want to know?

Or perhaps she already senses the approaching tempest,
so is clinging to that fleeting carefree stage of her life
with all her heart and Soul.

I am inextricably bonded to this strange little creature.
I long to know what she's thinking...but,
sadly, I can no longer recall.

36 comments:

  1. there is so much potential in the moment....so much life still ahead...
    and so much already lived that will shape what is to come next....
    its such a transition too...from carefree days to responsibility...
    and so much weight on that moment....

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  2. When I came across this a few days ago, I wished I could return to those carefree days...and perhaps now be living a totally different life.
    But I seriously doubt whether I would do anything differently...so would still be where I am today! lol
    Many thanks, Brian :)

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  3. Wonderful observation of the stranger in our youth after the fact.. This is so good. I do this too, searching in photos of the past.

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    1. It is strange how old photos have the power to awaken vivid memories - and often strong emotions, isn't it...and sometimes a longing to return to that earlier time too!
      Many thanks, Anthony:)

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  4. I love the gentle surprise of poem's final line. It addresses everybody in a personal and universal way. I may not recall exactly what I thought in an old photo, but I remember who I was --I've worked hard on my who. I reckon you have too.

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    1. Yes, I think I have too...well, am still working on my "who" really...I'm not totally sure anyone finds the whole definitive answer...

      Many thanks, Geo:)

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  5. What extraordinary story in an ordinary setting with a common thing such as the wall. It amazes me what secret simple things hold. Love the way you tell the story.

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    1. It may sound strange, but ever since I found this photo I have been filled with a longing to return there and find that wall again (if it is still standing) and have a photo taken of me as I am now...would be like a partial story of my life!

      Many thanks, SuperLux.:)

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    2. There are places that just haunts us, right? They're just enigmatic so to speak.

      You're welcome.

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    3. So true! I often feel this way about photos...they seem to have a life of their own that draws us to them.*smiles*
      xoxoxo

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  6. I enjoy reading how you play this one out, thanks so much for sharing.

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  7. I enjoy reading how you play this one out, thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed this, Linda...and thank you for reading.:)
      xoxoxo

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  8. Beautiful poem! You have a special gift with words. I'm glad I discovered your blog. Have a great weekend:-) Chris

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    1. Thank you so much, Chris...I really appreciate that.
      Your blog is great too!

      Hope you're having a great weekend too :)

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  9. Bom dia, a foto é bela e significativa, a jovem está no pensamento dela, talvez esta a pensar, " no futuro também vou ser vitima das finanças especulativas?" como os meus familiares foram e estão a ser. a maioria dos jovens tem como futuro a submissão, hoje o mais importante do que tudo, incluindo a dignidade, são os marcados financeiros.
    AG

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    1. I agree...life has become more difficult as time has moved on, hasn't it?
      I often worry for younger people...how they will cope in the future. It will be harder for them, I fear, than it was for us...
      Thank you so much.

      Hope your weekend is a good one! :)

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  10. Fantastic writing, i love every description every yearning that this young you might have thought of......

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    1. Oh thank you, Sweetie!
      I sometimes wish I could go back in time to then...but I definitely wouldn't want to re-live some of the years in between!

      Love & Hugs xxx

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  11. Ygraine, I love this poem.
    Your poems so often tell the story of your life.
    Wonderful writing, m'dear!
    And I loved seeing the photo 'of the 17 year old girl sitting on the wall'
    I was looking at some old photos of myself last week when I was around that age ... that girl still lives in my memory and heart.

    xo xo

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    1. You are so right, Margie...although our lives may appear to change radically with the passing of the years...we remain the same person at heart.
      She is still in here somewhere!:)

      Thank you so much :)

      Big Hugs xxx

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  12. Even though I'm not her sitting on that wall, somehow that photo and your poem feeds my soul, for there is something about your poem and her that makes my heart flood with tears, because somehow I feel I'm the one sitting on that wall, thank you.

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    1. Oh Lon...I am so deeply touched by your beautiful comment. It somehow makes me feel much less alone in my thoughts and memories.
      Thank you so, so, much.:)

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  13. this stone
    dreams into the future
    history's wall

    __No, the reference of this >stone< is not an insult, 'tis quite more, a complement to a forward dream... based on that >solid< past. _m

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    1. Oh wow...thank you, Magyar...you have given me a new perspective!
      As I see it...yes, the past is "solid" - cannot be changed.
      But the future remains malleable...filled with options...:)

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  14. A wall that separates more than two physical spaces, It's almost a division between childhood and adolescence. Your poem made me feel so much. Both for me as an ex-adolescent and for my own teenage children. Thanks, that was beautiful.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. That is kinda how I felt, CiL...it was like looking at the photo of a stranger...from another era - world, even.
      I almost wished I could be her again...*smiles*

      Thank you so much.:)

      Have a Great Day!

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  15. Your descriptions are always so vivid and beautiful. And I love that photo :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Keith...I so appreciate that.:)

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  16. Like always dear Ygraine your words are amazing!! and this picture s really beautiful dear!
    xoxox

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    1. Oh thank you, Gloria...my dear friend, your kind words mean so much. Truly.:)

      Big Hugs xxx

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  17. That photo itself speaks so much of yourself. Enigmatic, engrossed and silence!!

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  18. Ha...yes, that sums me up perfectly, Dumcho!! lol
    Many thanks :)

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  19. I love the way you write and I love the way you describe everything! The picture is beautiful ;o)

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    1. Oh thank you so much, Sweetie...so happy you liked it!

      Big Hugs xxx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my posts.
I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)