I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

14 October 2015

A Girl I Once Knew


Hello, Anna, I tell the TV
quietly, only me here to see
when she appears, as she does
occasionally, in her public role –
old now, but not as old as me, and still
unbelievably beautiful.

A beauty that in youth attracted tragedy.
But you have survived, Anna, and survived well.
And, sadly, there is no-one else
who knew you then, still alive to tell.


Inspired by the Up Close & Personal prompt at 'imaginary garden with real toads', but linked to their Tuesday Platform.



30 comments:

  1. Ah, that feeling of know of something (or someone) who is wonderful and used to be even better... But not having anyone else to whom the knowledge will make sense. It brings many people and places to mind...

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    1. She is wonderful, went through terrible things, and is now – a long time afterwards – very much better and even more amazing. (Smile.)

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  2. A mystery lies behind these lines. I wonder if it is a comfort or concern to know there is still one out there who knows a painful secret of one's past.

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    1. I dare say she has forgotten my existence by now! But you are quite right. The one time I did run into her, just as her life began to improve (already many years ago) she didn't want to know me – and I believe I was a reminder of the earliest painful time, which few have any inkling of – though the next tragedy is public knowledge (and she also refuses to discuss that).

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  3. Hmm....now you have me guessing:)

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    1. But I can't say, as she is a somewhat public figure, though more behind the scenes usually.

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  4. An old movie? Were you a soap star once? It builds intrigue.

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  5. So poignant. Loved this one, Rosemary.

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  6. A tragedy in youth.. somehow I have a feeling that makes up a large part of the beauty.. you have me guessing.

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    1. This woman's astonishing beauty is due to her genes – and always informed by great intelligence too, even as a young girl. I knew her so long ago; hard to tell what mark the old sorrows have left.

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  7. A chill touched me in this poem and I am not sure why. She may not live the tragedy anymore, but the poet does and I do too. It's as if time stops.

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    1. Well, for that little while I was remembering. It was not my tragedy, but ...

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  8. Like this one for its intimacy, simplicity, directness. As most of your work carries, of course L.

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  9. Your poem has me curious of the story behind Anna...written well, Rosemary.

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  10. There is such a powerful poignancy here that I am squinting to see Anna - whom I never knew then or now. Beautifully done.

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  11. I like how this has me curious. Written perfectly.

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  12. Some secrets are best kept hidden! Very evocative in its brevity.

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  13. A nice tribute to a friend. But now intrigued to know who this public figure is.

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    1. Unless you live in Australia, and move in particular circles, the knowledge probably wouldn't mean much anyway. :)

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  14. Oh, when we live longer than our friends who knew us way back when, it is so sad. I guess we need to sit down with new friends and share our journeys.

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    1. Perhaps that's what I just did with you-all. (Smile.)

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  15. The identity of the subject isn't revealed, there's a general sense of public persona viewed on TV by someone who has watched from that vantage for a long time -- a relationship that is but isn't, and thus a staple of the interior monologue, the things we mean to say to others. Maybe a passing thought, but one that adds to something over the years, to this. Adding to the course of lives.

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    1. From other vantage points too over the years, having been on the fringes of her life from time to time via those various others no longer still alive. The occasional TV appearances are recent. We were briefly close long ago, when we first knew each other, before life took us n somewhat different directions, so it is good to see she has survived so well after suffering early tragedies. More a passing thought than an ongoing staple of the interior monologue. But, in this instance, important enough to write a poem about.

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  16. Thanks for dropping in and reading my Monday poem 'Jabberwocky'; happy i sparked your interest, jjabberwocky here is used in the context of nonsense talk not monsters

    oh and remember to link up on Mondays with one of your writes

    much love...

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    1. Interesting how words are coopted and changed! I always think of the Lewis Caroll jabberwocky, having been brought up on Alice. But that was, of course, nonsense verse!

      Yes, had just realised I have been forgetting your Mondays, sorry.

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  17. I can relate to this, Rosemary. Nice.

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