Reanimated Lavender Granola Switchblade Nun rides again.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Natalie

She had an eastern European accent;

I could have listened to her read the phone book--

All those hard R's.

It was like being under the influence of something...

She made me want to wait in a bread line, or watch some awful art film with my head on her shoulder and my hand,

Like an afternoon cloud,

Drifting under her skirt.



Surely I should join an Order,

Forget what I have seen and felt.

Pigeons mock me--

They teem everywhere I go,

Like pick-pockets speaking Romany.

I am in a bare room,

Questioned in a language I do not understand,

But the answers are as clear as the water in a town-square fountain in Belgrade in the spring...



-- her eyes, dark as crow's wings.

--her fingers, with rings of every precious metal.

--her words, faintly obscene.

--her name, Natalie, like a loaf of bread on a wooden table.



I knew her several years ago.

She had hair like an approaching storm.

I don't know where she is now,

But I think of her

Whenever I see pigeons on the sidewalk

Outside the old bakery door on Verlaine Street.

_______

Note: yes, there was a real Natalie. She was from California, lol.

written for One Shot Wednesday

24 comments:

  1. My Dear Lord,

    I LOVE this blog! have I ever mentioned that??

    Her name like a loaf of bread on a wooden table.

    I dated a guy once, his name was like a plastic bag on a fence post in the wind. Hey! Could I be a poet too? :)

    xoxo

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  2. (Too funny, Jannie!)

    I liked the various images you invoke to remember Natalie by.

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  3. I have a niece named Natalie so I have to get past the image of her and into the image of your Natalie which isn't too difficult as you describe her so beautifully, Shay.

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  4. Belgrade, Bel Air... whatever.

    Still... the idea of you joining an Order is mildly amusing. The Sisters would never be the same, that's for sure!

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  5. a fascinating piece shay...she made me want to wait in a bread line...that to me says much...great rememberance...you have a style all your own...nice one shot!

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  6. lol.. the comparison of name to a loaf of bread is amusing :D what a different poem..! nice!

    My One Shot

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  7. Aardvark, Billy. 766-5432
    Arlo, Klaus. 766-2433
    Ashley, Herrbert. 765-7766
    Bisko, Theodore. 766-8996
    Bracha, Nadine. (unlisted)
    Brandt, Willy. 766-5443

    (she reads it so well does she not?)

    Claus, Santa. 765-3333
    Crantz, Rose N. 767-2212
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    etc.

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  8. Brillant Shay, just brillant - your "like an afternoon cloud drifting under her skirt"...this piece is a signature "U" piece of wonderful image --- this - it screams "publish Me".....bkm

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  9. I am sooooooooo glad you were curious about my curiosity as that led me to you and this wonderful poem. I could see her, hear her and smell the bread in the bakery.

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  10. This was like a Truffaut film; it's grainy, real black&white recollections really work. Very successful. Kudos to you. Thanks, Gay (@beachanny)

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  11. I love to hear that accent - my friend Tereza has it, too. The comparison you make to her voice is wonderful.

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  12. You evoke the Eastern European images, adding an air of inviting mystery to Natalie. O rperhaps she already had that. Good poem.

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  13. LOL @G-Man!


    "--her name, Natalie, like a loaf of bread on a wooden table."
    "
    "She had hair like an approaching storm."

    Amazing poem. Love the above lines. "Mocked by the pigeons"—they make fun of the way I walk, pigeon-toed of course.

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  14. I didn't expect your hand to drift THERE, Chica...you naughty, naughty poet. ;)

    Love the name Natalie and this was wonderfully written, btw.

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  15. This totally describes a roommate I had once (a platonic one albeit ;)

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  16. your style is as unique as awesome shay! this eastern Europe hint made me feel more..love this atmosphere..:)

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  17. Shay you brilliance with words is amazing...you paint a picture with your own colors of paint that no one else can buy! I think this one is another favorite for me. :-)

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  18. I love the line about watching bad art films!

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  19. there was so much imagery in this that i liked...the r's, the pick pockets, the order...it goes on and on...once again you have written a great piece..thanks for sharing..pete

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  20. That's love - or infatuation!!!

    I'm gonna have to try the phone book - Ha

    Love your writing Shay

    Gr8 One Shot

    Moon smiles

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  21. I love that this poem is strong but also funny. I felt many different emotions. I laughed about the pigeons mocking. and the line 'she had hair like an approaching storm' made me go WHOA. it also made me a little jealous. p.s. do write more about fall if it suits you. I'm without fall for the first time in my life. I love reading all these posts about fall! long hair :)

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Spirit, what do you wish to tell us?