There is something

about you

they said

and they were right

in that way that isn’t universal

she did have something about her

and then she gave it to you

and you had

something about her

locked around your neck.

When you whistled

only she heard your call

came running time and again

hands powdered with flour

losing each time

something about her

because that is what happens when

girls give it away

without thought

as if it, and themselves, were

a paper boat let loose to rent

how then to remain whole?

they have to have it

to be

something

about

them

or they stay as tinsel in corners

gathering misapprehensions dust

no one remembered to take down

after the celebration was over

as hollow as old marzipan

left to suck up dry cupboard air

when placed for safe keeping by soft hearted child

leaching color onto old towels

still smelling of beach and sand

10 Replies to “Something about her”

  1. “or they stay as tinsel in corners
    gathering misapprehensions”

    “as hollow as old marzipan“

    “leaching color onto old towels
    still smelling of beach and sand”

    I love those lines, especially.

  2. I thought I knew that girl
    The one with something about her
    Meeting later, long later
    Something was missing
    less of her?
    And something more?
    More of someone else?
    Something given?
    Something taken?
    That something about her then, before
    Obscured, as like a carpet
    Tracked by muddy footed visitors
    Or faded by too long under bright spotlight
    I thought I knew her
    Or was it just the something?

Comments are closed.