.
Old Mr Tarattini has been
It seems
Taking a pie
He bakes himself to Mrs.Marteloni
Each week on Thursday.
Never Monday
Nor Friday
They enjoy this
Together
On the porch in summer, spring, autumn
Winter though
They sit side by side
In front of the fire
The conversation
Held in their mother tongue
The love they share is as strong
As their 40 year affair
Jen and Cale live next door
At number twenty two
They laugh as they see
Mr Tarattini pass by,
Walking erect
Carrying a pie
They know that Mrs.Marteloni
Will be on the receiving end
Of his
ministrations.
They find humor in the idea
That two old people could be
Getting their rocks off
Jen and Cale have told no one though
That they spend most nights
Hiding in a bedroom
Trying to block out
The sound of their father
Yelling as he punches holes
Into the walls
After having what he calls
A social drink
Their Mother Cathy
No longer bothers to hide
Bruised eyes
She no longer looks
In the mirror
She no longer
Hopes
She has the plasterers’ number on speed dial
And silence
in the back of her mind
Miss Johns from number twenty six
Lies across her bed in
Black latex
Rubbing her self to the beat of
Techno dance music.
She thinks of her personal assistant
Genevieve
And her elongated neck
Smooth,
Refined
Hair coiled up and the scent of musk wafting
Across office space
She wants her in the storage cupboard
Over the file cabinet
Everywhere
She wants her on her tongue
Miss Johns mother
Sits by her side at church
Every Sunday
As Father Peters preaches about evils
Of homosexuality in today’s society
Little Billy Smith plays with the lizards
Found under the rocks
In his garden
He absorbs the sounds
As his sight isn’t so good
He’d like to one day grow up and be
A famous poet
A master chef
A rock star
A husband
A father
Or maybe just a fireman
Rescuing cats from the branches
Of eucalypt trees
Little Billy Smith
Loves to dream of what it would be like
To see
.
Author notes
I dont know.. just something.
I guess the idea is we never really know what goes on behind closed doors, what goes on in anothers life.
Written January 16th, 2006
What did you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
-
I don’t really know how true this might be – although accept that it may well be entirely true… or even move beyond truth to reality… but most seems a very sad impeachment of human society, several thousands years into its recorded history. How strange that we can with such alacrity move ahead with science and technology when socially we are barely more than cavepeople (p.c. version.)
I like the writing and story – well done although I’m not sure I would read the novel – lol.
-
LOL... it wasn't sneaky. Its called credit where credit is due
. I just read it again and for the record I still love it.
-
Thank you all for the reading firstly and the comments secondly, especially when I know some of you were dragged here by sneaky sneaky persons..
-
I like this alot...it seemed a brief but image-full snapshot into the lives of each of these people which I envisioned in on a small street in a neighborhood where anybody knows so little of anything of anyone. really a good poem and I enjoyed the read very much!
Jo -
My god Bec - this is truly amazing. Do you have a window seat to your street? You covered so much with just the right amount of detail, and not from a voyeuristic perspective but more of an interest - seeing what others don''t see moreso deeing with detail what they do see!
You'd be a bonus on any Neighbourhood watch team you now!
this is great!
Von
Edited on Jan 17, 7:03 because 'added a bit more'. -
This is the most fantastic poem, I had no idea where it was going and I'm glad I took the journey to find out. You really do never know what goes on, even with the ones you love.
Excellent, Excellent write
Much love and light
Karen -
well done you cracked open the homes that line our streets and allowed the reality pore out this was an imaginative write and very enjoyable
-
A chapbook into the lives of residents in a housing complex - what we don't know and what they aren't telling - but you have spilled it all with this write. Very imaginative and creative -sounds like the beginnings of an American Coronation Street. Go for it!
-
This is really an awesome poem. I loved the descriptiveness of it. I like the way you told each story. Keep up the awesome poetry!!!
-
Of course we never know, unless we're voyeurs anyway. It's the graves beyond windows that intrigue us the most. I loved Miss. John's segment. It was artydirty . . . good stuff in other words. You could do a series out of this one poem, chronicle these characters' lives. Well done m'goatyone.
-
I really liked this piece. It was very well written and descriptive, but still allowing the reader to picture the characters simply by the names they were given and not any over-analytical descritpion of their clothes, age, etcetera. It would have been exceptionally interesting to have brought the whole story full circle back to the original adulterous couple. Nevertheless, you've certianly piqued my interest, and I will definitely be reading more of your material. Won't you be so kind as to return the favor anf please feel free to read any/all of my own poems posted on this site?-Curtis Meyer
-
I like this very much, a snapshot into other peoples lives. I have wondered thoughts like these. What really goes on behind closed doors. Your poem is amazing
-
I want to fight with Aliana, for the right to be your biggest fan. This is so fresh and thought provoking, a touch of evil, a sprinkling of tenderness and even some hope. I don’t believe I have ever spied upon such a vivid snapshot of the mystery of the special component of ordinariness. I’m quite sure I should think long about visiting you on Tuesday with Apple Turnovers (fresh cream). Magical Seether, just magical, thank you. –
Edited on Jan 19, 12:45 because ''. -
Splendiferous
God your poetry touches me woman! Yes we never know what goes on behind the curtains, nor what secrets lay deep in anothers heart… which I guess is a good thing, because boy wouldn’t we all be very surprised!
I really loved this Bec, the way you wrote it the whole damn thought process of this thing was just amazing.
Well done hun.... Keep em’ coming; you know, I think I am becoming your biggest fan
Adding your comment:
1 - 14 of 14
7 old applause
