FOR MOLLY

I wanted to post this before I left for Tokyo, when the 'Save Molly' massif was welling up. I wrote this in response to a piece that Molly had written for me, but hers has since been lost somewhere in blogdom. I am not totally happy with the accompanying photo, as I'm not sure it really conveys the intensity of the emotion in the words. I wanted something more fierce and 'elemental', but surprisingly I couldn't find a photo of mine that was of stormy seas, though I am sure I have one somewhere. Anyhow, I just wanted to get this out there.





MY ROSEBUD, MY SPECIAL
(also titled 'Laughing')


As the few dash home to escape the storm

I sit here atop my dune

Giggling at the joy of the sand as it surrenders in dance to the wind


A flicker of ancient familiarity

Have I been here before?

Waiting


Waiting?


The flax creaks behind me

And for a moment I hear your footsteps as the bedroom door closes

I turn, but of course you are not there

I laugh again, throwing my head back

Reveling in the elements

My toes tingle all at once

Sand and tiny tiny shells swirl in my already salty hair

Golden against the dark grey sky

That same grey as your old school skirt

That comforting smell of Rose


Alone I search the waters

The horizon jagged and blurred

Briny spray in my eyes and mouth

The white tips of the waves chase each other

Excited by the storm

Did I see a piece break off?

I squint trying to make sense of it

A lonely feather racing towards me

I reach out to catch it

But it has already slipped into my hand

Tickling my palm

I stamp my feet and laugh even harder

I hear your soft voice gently calling my name

Pressing the feather to my lips I whisper

'My Rosebud, my special'

Then return it to the wind

Off you go little one!!

Watching, dizzy with laughter, as it circles my little head once

Or was it twice?


A happy tear blows from the corner of my eye and rushes toward the sea

I look up but the feather has gone

'Find her! find her!' I wish

I clasp my hands to my chest

Did I hear you call my name?

Tears fill my eyes


Laughing