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Friday 23 April 2021

RED FLIP FLOPS

I recall walking out there,
the tide high, the English Channel choppy,
it's southerly winds pushing me back
as if denying access to Hurst Castle -
demonstration of Nature's superior power.
Sudden doubt. 
My last memory 
of my red flip flops, traversing the shingle spit.
I was staring at the distant castle, I guess.
An intrepid explorer full of fervour: me, 
but without my agoraphobic handicap.
Just me and the sharp pebbles, a conscious union -
as if my rapidly disintegrating, unsuitable footwear
represented the will of stone consciousness,
was the monument's entry requirement.

My cut and bruised feet
a symbol of pilgrimage,
a wordless but satisfying communication
with the shingle.
Offering my blood, for the thin tongue
of the spit to devour hungrily.
A sacrifice,
it's significance way beyond my comprehension
at the time, but filed in memory's archive
for later interpretation. It was like
primitive man trying to decipher
modern mathematics.
Impossible.

As I finally achieved the Grail of my quest,
it's mystique brought effective analgesia
to mutilated feet...I was utterly enthralled.
It was well worth the pain.
Perhaps it is merely an old structure to most,
too lost in time to make it relevant today.
But to me it was alive, was crowded
with all those who'd dwelt within it's walls
down the centuries - and, of course,
it's most famous prisoner:
the Cavalier figurehead, Charles I.
Oh how dashing a character,
in white lace and frills - I
watched, spellbound, as he crossed
the courtyard as far as the barred gate
and then vanished into thin air.
Was I spooked?
Far from it.
All I could think of was the excruciating shame
of being in the presence of Royalty
at the very moment my flip flops, much beloved,
finally fell apart! 😉

36 comments:

  1. Ygraine, my friend, that's another beautiful piece you've written! It truly took me there!

    I used to wear flip flops much of the time, and I can certainly remember the discomfort I was in when I stepped on sharp rocks! Not only that, but there was a few times I ran in the rain with them, which also brought great discomfort when one of them ripped apart.

    Have a great day my friend!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, my friend!😊😊
      I live in flip flops in the summer months, they are so comfortable...but, yes, I too have had some mishaps when wearing them in the rain...one of which resulted in a stay in hospital when I was 12!🙄 Lol

      Have a great day too.😊😊

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you 😊😊

      Hope your weekend is going well too!

      Hugs xxx

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  3. Great poem :) Thanks for your sharing...

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks!😊😊

      Have a super day.

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  4. This is truly beautiful, and sings to me of your open and generous spirit.
    Mind you, this relatively modern woman struggles with modern mathematics just as primitive man would. And like them, I survive without it.

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    Replies
    1. Dear friend...oh thank you so much!😊😊
      Ha, me too! Mathematics has, and I believe always will be, an utter mystery to me! Lol

      Have a great day!

      Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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  5. what an amazing written piece. I had not heard of Hurst castle and so i googled images. I love that i learn from your poems and feel like u were there so I get to experience it also. We have a Hearst Castle in San Simeon, ca - and at first i thought you were writing about that but after a few sentences i realized ..no it was a different castle - and quite a different one.

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    1. Oh I am so happy you enjoyed, Sandy...and my heartfelt thanks for your kind comment!😊😊
      I am intrigued...now I will Google Hearst Castle!
      Thank you for that...I just adore castles!!

      Have a super day.

      Hugs xxx

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  6. My sweet friend Ygraine,
    I love to read her writings, even the oldest ones. Here I find the capacity for vision of a person hardened by life, however, human, in the exact sense that this word represents. You are a very sensitive woman, in affectionate poems, who “always go hand in hand” here on your blog.
    A good weekend for you, lots of kisses and take care, because, you live in my heart without paying rent.

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    1. Doug, my dear friend...your kind words truly warm my heart...thank you so, so much!😊😊
      I hope you're having a great weekend too...and that you're taking extra care. I've been seeing such disturbing images on TV from Brazil...so can't help being so very concerned for you.🙁

      Many Kisses back...and I would willingly pay rent for that place in your heart, where it is safe from the harshness of the outside world!😉 xxx

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  7. My Dearest Soul Sister, you are a wonder!
    Your words flow together so beautifully that you are definitely part mermaid.
    Big Hugs xxxxx

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    1. Dearest Jan...oh you are so kind...my most heartfelt thanks!😊😊
      I think you may be right about my being part mermaid...it must by something to do with my Cancerian Rising Sign!😉😂
      Sending lots and lots of love and hugs back, my dear Soul Sister ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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  8. Made me feel I was there part of your experience in both time and place. A wonderful story.
    So enjoy you poetry.

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    1. Oh I am SO happy you enjoyed, Anthony...and my most grateful thanks!😊😊

      Have a super day!

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  9. I was caught by the title immediately! You are so creative with words. Have a lovely day!

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    1. Oh thank you so much, Natalia...I really appreciate that!😊😊
      Wishing you a fabulous day too!

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  10. Oh I can't even begin to express how much your kind words of encouragement mean to me, Giannis...and I am so deeply grateful.😊😊
    And I am so happy you enjoy reading my rather humble attempts at poetry! 😉
    Thank you again...so, so much!!

    Have a fabulous day, my friend!

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  11. You are so creative and so talented!!! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you, Sweetie...so much!😊😊

      Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤

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  12. New Shoes For Stepping Into The Future - Hot Damn - Big Hugs

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely needed now!! 😉

      Many thanks.😊😊

      A Hug.

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  13. Such a lovely poem and you tell a story so well.

    I also discovered more about Hurst Castle because I did a google search, one of the sites I visited was here
    https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hurst-castle

    Enjoy these last April days.

    All the best Jan

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    Replies
    1. Oh thank you so much, Jan...I am delighted that you enjoyed!😊😊
      I love Hurst Castle, and been visiting it quite regularly since I was 16.

      Have a lovely day and stay safe.

      Hugs xxx

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  14. Such beauty. What a way you have with words!
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Oh you are so kind, Amalia...and thank you so much!😊😊

      Big Hugs xxx

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  15. the strength of your expression is captivating dearest Ygraine this was like a magical experience to share that flip flop wander with you ,your description for wounded feet made my eyes teary ,i felt that pain and the longing so deep !

    thank you for taking me into complete different dimension with your powerful ,beautiful poetry each time my wonderful talented friend!!!Hugs and blessings!

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    1. Dearest Baili, oh how happy I am to know you enjoyed my poem...and my most heartfelt thanks!😊😊
      How I wish you could be here with me to visit the castle...I think you would enjoy it and it's long history!

      Have a wonderful day, my dear friend...and stay safe.

      Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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  16. A remarkable poetic pilgrimage, where sacrifice is rewarded in the end.
    I really liked your poem, it's excellent.
    Continuation of a good week, dear friend Ygraine.
    Kisses xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, dear friend Jaime...and so happy you enjoyed!😊😊
      Have a super weekend and stay safe.

      Kisses xxx

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  17. Ya, it's very true relay impressive content. Please share something on Manual Microtome. And again a very thanks for sharing this kind of post.

    ReplyDelete

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)