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Painting by Numbers

by The Walrus 

Posted: 30 May 2004
Word Count: 136


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9 years lurching between
half-a-dozen lipstick-collared ‘aberrations’.
You kept the million-and-a-half London pad,
one Porche and the six-figure bank accounts,
I treated myself to the expresso machine, the olive tree
and my faithful teddy.

Double life hiding a score of secrets
couldn’t shift a singular stubbornness
until 7 pints bled –
1 left to make 2 legs walk.

Big red buttons marked ‘do not press’
have always been my weakness,
so while I was skipping past 83,
that house I laughingly called my ‘home’,
I found my finger on your door bell…
sadness swelled at the sight
of your ravaged face –
10 years acquired in the space
of 18 months.

And while I am lulled into a peaceful sleep
I think it must be quite useful to be a banker
for counting all your sheep.






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Comments by other Members



roovacrag at 12:15 on 30 May 2004  Report this post
Well said. Now the ghosts are laid to rest.
A future away from the past. A new life one untold but a great adventure.
A poem worth waiting for and needed to be said.

Many will relate to this.
Well done.
xx Stan

joanie at 18:08 on 30 May 2004  Report this post
Walrus, I loved this. Very well portrayed.
joanie

Nell at 19:29 on 30 May 2004  Report this post
Hi Walrus,

This is heavy with meaning only half understood, yet powerful for all that. It seems that there's a lot of past pain (both mental and physical) treated in an almost dispassionate way, maybe even a fleeting tenderness too? Memorable if not haunting.

Nell.

Mooncat at 16:26 on 01 June 2004  Report this post
Hi Walrus,

This is great, and with powerful meaning.

Well done,

Marie

Fearless at 17:53 on 01 June 2004  Report this post
Red

Now the past is cast, it's time for totally new adventures in life. A naked, powerful lyric, that reflects the journey made in 18 months with a portent of the journey ahead.

Great,

Fearless

The Walrus at 16:31 on 02 June 2004  Report this post
Alice, Joanie, Nell, Mooncat, Fearless, thanks.

The Walrus

Ling Ling at 13:02 on 03 June 2004  Report this post
I think this is such a poigniant piece and to me reminds me of the fact that it's not until we face our demons, they then stop spooking us. A compassionate portrayal of a life re-visited and a ghost laid to rest. Excellent! Ling Ling x

The Walrus at 14:08 on 03 June 2004  Report this post
Thanks Ling Ling - spot on comment.

The Walrus
x


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