‘Just a single.’ I raise a finger
and a waitress nods and leads me to a single
chair at a single table, deep inside
a City eater.
It’s several days
since I saw my son.
He’s a ‘single’;
spending big phases
alone.
The thought’s like a shudder
carried over water
to another shore
but in dodgems, where bumpers
bang and shock,
he shakes
with glee: delighting
in a burn and crash
contained in space
with loved-ones close
and surly fairground helpers
bound by electricity.
One time in Ireland,
the owner let us ride again and again
for free. He’ll meet Saint Peter.
But now I whisper to myself
below a lunchtime hubbub
in a City of London restaurant
that here are tons of people, tough
as gulls, alone, forever squalling
lonely
on and on above the sea,
buffeted by what happens next
and whatever’s meant to be.
Have caught up on all of your past post that I have missed over the past few days. This current one and the rest are from a true wordsmith, a poet with heart.
ReplyDeleteA.J.
Very powerful and moving stuff, as ever. Brilliant. Thank you for sharing your work with us.
ReplyDeleteTruly moving and beautiful.
ReplyDeletemarvelous poem. just bookmarked your blog. intend to visit frequently. have you ever seen this film? http://www.benx.be/eng/defilm.asp indelible impression. hope it moves you as it did me. thanx for your contributions to expansion.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes. If only we enjoyed being buffeted as much as he. The thought like a shudder carried over the waters to another shore - Nice. The whole thing is excellent, resonating on multiple levels. It provokes a philosophical wonder. We're all going through this impossible existence...no one ever knows
ReplyDeleteOh...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely, simply lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful--I love the natural diction and cadence.
ReplyDeleteI like the gull/sea/sky imagery – great use of the word ‘squall’ (double meaning) and exploring the idea you can be lonely in a crowd i.e single and lonely aren’t the same thing. Well done
ReplyDeleteSo well put!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your sentiments here. Well done.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Absolutely lovely. You moved me. Thank you
ReplyDeleteRebecca Fraser
I am incredibly moved by this poem....I particularly liked:"He'll meet Saint Peter". Indeed!
ReplyDeleteI have read this one before but I liked it so much I read it again..j.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Just plainly beautiful all around.
ReplyDeleteWish I could mold sentences like you do. Keep up the great writing!
Glad I found this after following one of your tweets!
ReplyDeleteYou got me with the "shudder". Beautiful.
ReplyDelete"...tough as gulls" Love that line!
ReplyDeleteFirst poem of yours I've read and I love it. So many stories riding in this poem.
ReplyDeleteHey, that truly is a 'real poem' well impressed
ReplyDeleteCollect them in a book called Singles?
ReplyDeleteA very moving poem. I must say, after reading this; I shall never be same again.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I have a son with autism.
ReplyDeleteStacey
Not bad. I am diagnosed with asberger syndrome. They called it a well-funcsioned autist. But that means nothing to me. I'm the same person anyway.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteNicely done. Very.
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove those tough gulls.
ReplyDeleteSweet as honey and rough as a callous. Beautiful widgets and tad-bits.Excellent poem ! !
ReplyDeleteLove this poem!
ReplyDeletebeautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteStunning!
ReplyDelete