I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

14 October 2015

A Girl I Once Knew


Hello, Anna, I tell the TV
quietly, only me here to see
when she appears, as she does
occasionally, in her public role –
old now, but not as old as me, and still
unbelievably beautiful.

A beauty that in youth attracted tragedy.
But you have survived, Anna, and survived well.
And, sadly, there is no-one else
who knew you then, still alive to tell.


Inspired by the Up Close & Personal prompt at 'imaginary garden with real toads', but linked to their Tuesday Platform.



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30 comments:

  1. Gail14 October 2015 at 01:56

    Love this! I can relate.

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  2. Magaly Guerrero14 October 2015 at 02:06

    Ah, that feeling of know of something (or someone) who is wonderful and used to be even better... But not having anyone else to whom the knowledge will make sense. It brings many people and places to mind...

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 07:32

      She is wonderful, went through terrible things, and is now – a long time afterwards – very much better and even more amazing. (Smile.)

      Delete
  3. Gillena Cox14 October 2015 at 02:13

    nice

    much love...

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  4. Kerry O'Connor14 October 2015 at 02:33

    A mystery lies behind these lines. I wonder if it is a comfort or concern to know there is still one out there who knows a painful secret of one's past.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 08:04

      I dare say she has forgotten my existence by now! But you are quite right. The one time I did run into her, just as her life began to improve (already many years ago) she didn't want to know me – and I believe I was a reminder of the earliest painful time, which few have any inkling of – though the next tragedy is public knowledge (and she also refuses to discuss that).

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  5. rallentanda14 October 2015 at 02:54

    Hmm....now you have me guessing:)

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 07:48

      But I can't say, as she is a somewhat public figure, though more behind the scenes usually.

      Delete
  6. colleen14 October 2015 at 04:10

    An old movie? Were you a soap star once? It builds intrigue.

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  7. Sherry Blue Sky14 October 2015 at 05:19

    So poignant. Loved this one, Rosemary.

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  8. brudberg14 October 2015 at 05:24

    A tragedy in youth.. somehow I have a feeling that makes up a large part of the beauty.. you have me guessing.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 07:42

      This woman's astonishing beauty is due to her genes – and always informed by great intelligence too, even as a young girl. I knew her so long ago; hard to tell what mark the old sorrows have left.

      Delete
  9. Susan14 October 2015 at 08:51

    A chill touched me in this poem and I am not sure why. She may not live the tragedy anymore, but the poet does and I do too. It's as if time stops.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 09:39

      Well, for that little while I was remembering. It was not my tragedy, but ...

      Delete
  10. Anonymous14 October 2015 at 09:14

    Like this one for its intimacy, simplicity, directness. As most of your work carries, of course L.

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  11. Hannah14 October 2015 at 09:45

    Your poem has me curious of the story behind Anna...written well, Rosemary.

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  12. Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP)14 October 2015 at 10:26

    There is such a powerful poignancy here that I am squinting to see Anna - whom I never knew then or now. Beautifully done.

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  13. Buddah Moskowitz14 October 2015 at 10:40

    I like how this has me curious. Written perfectly.

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  14. Anonymous14 October 2015 at 11:43

    Some secrets are best kept hidden! Very evocative in its brevity.

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  15. Suzy14 October 2015 at 14:54

    A nice tribute to a friend. But now intrigued to know who this public figure is.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 October 2015 at 15:30

      Unless you live in Australia, and move in particular circles, the knowledge probably wouldn't mean much anyway. :)

      Delete
  16. Susie Clevenger14 October 2015 at 16:30

    Oh, when we live longer than our friends who knew us way back when, it is so sad. I guess we need to sit down with new friends and share our journeys.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 October 2015 at 07:05

      Perhaps that's what I just did with you-all. (Smile.)

      Delete
  17. Anonymous14 October 2015 at 18:53

    The identity of the subject isn't revealed, there's a general sense of public persona viewed on TV by someone who has watched from that vantage for a long time -- a relationship that is but isn't, and thus a staple of the interior monologue, the things we mean to say to others. Maybe a passing thought, but one that adds to something over the years, to this. Adding to the course of lives.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 October 2015 at 07:17

      From other vantage points too over the years, having been on the fringes of her life from time to time via those various others no longer still alive. The occasional TV appearances are recent. We were briefly close long ago, when we first knew each other, before life took us n somewhat different directions, so it is good to see she has survived so well after suffering early tragedies. More a passing thought than an ongoing staple of the interior monologue. But, in this instance, important enough to write a poem about.

      Delete
  18. Gillena Cox15 October 2015 at 01:44

    Thanks for dropping in and reading my Monday poem 'Jabberwocky'; happy i sparked your interest, jjabberwocky here is used in the context of nonsense talk not monsters

    oh and remember to link up on Mondays with one of your writes

    much love...

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 October 2015 at 07:20

      Interesting how words are coopted and changed! I always think of the Lewis Caroll jabberwocky, having been brought up on Alice. But that was, of course, nonsense verse!

      Yes, had just realised I have been forgetting your Mondays, sorry.

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  19. Dr. Vandana Sharma15 October 2015 at 16:48

    The end is sad and hopefull.

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  20. Marian19 October 2015 at 02:51

    I can relate to this, Rosemary. Nice.

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