The Meaning

[dedalus]

I live in hopes of things to come,
crystal cities with suspended bridges
connecting shop to shop, bar to bar,
man to woman

and in my dreams at night
I toss and turn on the lilac sheets
and reach for my true love
who is no longer there.

A silly quarrel, of no importance,
and a world comes crashing down
amid the rubble on the just-cleaned carpets
and shots outside on the streets.

I was mildly ruffled. I don’t mind
telling you, as this effectively ruined
all our luncheon arrangements
and I gave her my debit card.

O God, can things get worse?
Well of course they can.
I have newspaper reporters
calling me at three in the morning

with questions about school escapades
and did I really climb the college tower
in Lady Cynthia’s panties? This is too much,
seeing as how she climbed it with me

and we swore undying love. Later,
she married the Hon, Spencer Chapman MP
and pushed him off a mountain
in Switzerland, or so the story goes.

I went to Afghanistan with the Army
where I formed the deepest respect
for the bearded Taliban. They are crack shots
since 1842, so you keep your head down.

Back in London, I had to choose
between the City and the Law,
so I became a social worker
and loved that silly job to bits.

Now, of course, I am a policeman.

[Benjamin]

Colourful and inventive imagery that by the last line had made the word 'rambunctious' pop into my head for no particular reason-- along with a smile. G.

[dr_con]

Agree with g, a sharp rambunctious portrait... well executed and made me smile..

[dedalus]

Made me smile, too. It was fun to write and I fear I got carried away, just a wee bit, so I and went overboard and added lot of rather good literary Japanese which few Europeans or Americans,can undetand. Well, that's all been swept away.

[tonyv]

I like the subtle change in this poem. the first four verses are more universal and could apply to many people in many situations. The rest of it becomes the speaker's narrative. Entertaining, as always.

 

Tony