Exordium
An Ekphrastic Abecedarian
Accosting you out of nowhere must seem creepy; please forgive me
But there is something about your half-gloved solitude that beguiled me
Cold and bitter as so much of life can be, there is warmth and light in you
Do ignore my clumsy overture if you wish; I am not sure what you are drinking
Even if that cup contains cognac or champagne, I would be glad to get you another; though I feel like that column of glowing gallants
Floating bashfully in the night behind you--reluctant to approach
Give me some sign, if you will, that I am audible and comprehensible…
Having sworn never to bother anyone, I was moved to make an exception in your case
I get the feeling that was a mistake, and I apologize
Just consider how beautiful your courage is, before I go
Keep sitting alone in cafes, for so few have the guts intrepidly to be islands
Looks from other humans can be so corrosive, so invasive, so subtle in their shrinking sorcery, can't they?
Mind you, it is clear that you are impervious to their eyes, which stare one moment, swerve the next
Never mind the minds of others and their smirking speculation
Over their heads, you float like a pristine and radiant bubble of thought
Powerful is she who is thought about by others while her own mind remains a still and lambent pool
Questions seem rude and clumsy in my mouth, but permit me to pose just one
Regarding your hat
Stylish and sunny in the stark light of the automat it is
Taunting the drab decorum of dull and dithering dolts
Under the laboratory scrutiny of the fluorescents, it is as smooth and natural as honey
Very few humans could wear it in such a way that every onlooker feels naked without it, as you do
Where did you get it? I would be glad to get you another!
X-ray my intentions if you like; I understand your skepticism, but I mean it!
You must know that this impulse is as ancient and irresistible as the moon
Zones of mint, melancholy meditation ought to be respected, I suppose
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (11)
Ah this is stunning sir. I fear mine pales in comparison. Like Blythe and others I love the way you've captured the solitude, the sadness but also that nostalgia for a time period when people had to try making connections in real life not from behind a screen. Well done.really well done.
✍️ I enjoyed this, especially "Powerful is she who is thought about by others while her own mind remains a still and lambent pool." ✍️
What imagination! Your speaker is so delicate and observant.. even cute in their ways. I have never seen an automat--a novelty it would be.
Another excellent piece D.J.! My favourite sounds… “Taunting the drab decorum of dull and dithering dolts”
"Looks from other humans can be so corrosive, so invasive, so subtle in their shrinking sorcery, can't they?" That is extremely trueeee!! Also, like Naomi said below, you brought that painting to life with your words!
Brilliant. I love the tentative but irresistible approach. And the notion of a garment worn so others find themselves naked without it.
very nice
good
What a masterpiece. You managed to bring this painting to life through strong storytelling within the confines of a strict poetic form—and nothing about it feels forced. I so wish I would’ve come of age in an era when men approached women in the flesh rather than online. I don’t regret being a millennial. It certainly has freedoms women didn’t have before. But I would love to be the woman in this poem.
I loved this, D.J.. Picture choice was excellent and then your appreciation was wonderfully evocative. My favourite of yours so far in the abecedarian poetry category.
wonderful piece of writing.