#whyIstayed
how long is a piece of string
he says: it wasn't like my friend's houses
we'd chill out watch the grand final
hear laughter
idling in the cul de sac
venting out of the cooling slats
they weren't
half
crazy
#whywesstayed
high school mates said it was weird, like a morgue: Ssssshhhhh
you taught them not to talk
too loudly
you told them there were prickly dangers in belly laughs
you recite the mantra:
only the clothes we stood up in not the land of plenty
drop a piece of bread on the floor
pick it up kiss it show some respect
eat it
goddamn eat it
don'tspillthefuckingmilk
#the visitor
we had a visitor once, I mean one who actually got beyond the front door
your brother stood on the edge of the shagpile pit
looking, staring wildly
Mum always said he ruined the moment: standing there, 'gawking'
That was our first visitor in six and a half years
it was almost-like-we-were-normal
guests for wine and cheese tea and biscuits guests
almost
funny how #not normal
shadows you around
suburban houses streets cities countries
old families half crazy new ones half crazy
the wiry heart strings
you couldn't wouldn't break
#why you left
what you forgot to take when you walkedoutofyourlife:
industrial strength hairwax nail scissors jade choker red Ugh boots
you work hard at it #being normal
but they can always sniff you out
string you up
shadow-dance
play you
almost
Screaming good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kerri :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAbnormal. Wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob - I like the fact that you've described it as abnormal - that appeals to my quirky sense of humour!
Deletewaouh!!!! I enjoyed reading this a lot indeed! bitting and funny and lucid and ... BRAVO!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Béatrice - glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleterotfl! more than funny...I love your work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Efi -I'm happy my black humour makes you laugh!
Delete