Friday, April 15, 2011

First ...


the first was a school chum’s brother,
and terrified,
I avoided the corner of our house closest to theirs
and walked on the other side of the street to school
I was eight, maybe  

all the photos of Philip were hazy, out of focus
I noticed that pattern recurring
in year books and albums:
the ones who die early
cannot be photographed
or maybe that is only my
memory


x

16 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

The fear of the unknown is well expressed here.

Paul Andrew Russell said...

Wow, this is a powerful piece of writing, Isabel.

I love that second stanza.

Brother Ollie said...

True - a powerful piece. Well crafted.

Lolamouse said...

This one gives me a chill. I like the direction you went with it. Eerie.

Unknown said...

Isabel,
Brilliant use of allusion. Really nicely done.

Salem Lorot said...

This is deep, Isabel. Got me thinking--could it be true after all?

Sherry Blue Sky said...

So well done, Isabel. Makes one remember being eight, and afraid. Loved the part of him looking hazy in photographs. Wow.

Eileen T O'Neill ..... said...

Isabel,
You have expressed and captured this memory very well indeed.

Eileen

ninotaziz said...

Guy Ritchie, Quentin...everybody

This should be the opening scene of a movie!

Please!

Well done, Isabel.

Maggie said...

Frightening and powerful words. Wow.

Anonymous said...

Very sad and evocative. Good to read.
Thanks.
Matthew

Jingle said...

moving...
lovely done.

lucychili said...

perhaps we all become hazy

Dave King said...

This is magnificent, and the effect is heightened by the clever choice of image. Even so, it stands well by itself. As Old Ollie says, it is well crafted. Congratulations.

Ella said...

Isabel,
YOU exposed the raw nerve of loss. This was really WELL DONE! I really loved it~

Willow said...

Again, powerful, vivid...even the hazy. You are a brilliant poet.