I don't usually use the voice recorder on my phone to jot down ideas as I think the act of speaking them out loud somehow fixes them in the moment. I find the fluidity of pen and ink more malleable. This first poem was an idea I had that died in the air.
The car he drives reflects his haircut
an attempt to be fashionable in some parallel world
he staggers towards tomorrow
knowing he will always be a day behind
Pretty misanthropic really. It was meant to be light but it doesn't work. This next one I've been working on for some time. It is based partly on a real incident.
There was no instant gratification I can tell you
you needed a working knowledge
an understanding of F-stops
shutter speeds
how to read a light meter
Back then you needed to plan
you had to rustle up a dark room
to improvise on your feet
Patience that’s what you needed
and a little luck that you’d caught the exact moment
I ask you who would want
to photograph their plate of food?
His voice incredulous ripples
across the terrace for all to hear
at least those who understood English.
I’m over the other side
in the shade by the tree
taking in his every contemptuous word
and I not about to tell him
at times I have photographed my food
Again it is meant to be tongue in cheek but feels clunky. I think this one may have legs. Watch this space.
Alela Diane has a new album coming out, you can order it here.
Until next time.
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