german boy

by Ann Foxglove

Tuesday 20th July 2010 4:54 pm

That rock there, reminds me . .

So many years ago

On holiday with mum and dad

I was about fourteen

Some days I saw a boy

Sitting on that rock

With his family

I think they were german

Our eyes never met

And yet

Every time I see that rock

I see him

Long bare legs, light khaki shorts

And sandals just like mine

He sits between his mum and dad

Why do I still see him?

We never spoke

So many years have come and gone.

Lovers, children, almost everything

A lifetime nearly passed,

But still he sits, so young!

Quiet and relaxed

In that embarrassed, slightly sad

“am I too old to be with mum and dad”

Kind of way

With a million moments to call upon

Why does this one stay with me?

A spindly legged blond german boy sat on a rock?

Comments

Tom

Thu 26th Aug 2010 16:53

Oh yes, I love this. Such strange memories stay and keep on coming back despite their seeming insignificance. A great theme to explore in any art form I think, and executed excellently here. TB

Dave Bradley

Tue 27th Jul 2010 22:31

Hi Ann

Chris Co isn't on WOL these days but asked for his appreciation of this poem to be passed on. He says "A recurring theme within my own poetry is memories - they fascinate me. I would have been proud to write such a poem of a girl of my childhood. It's a great poem - one of her best imo"

darren thomas

Wed 21st Jul 2010 20:42

There is so much about this that I would guess echo's the sentiment of many potential or would be relationships and situations.

I would have liked to have read a potential answer to your question -maybe use that as your poetic turn. The answer didn't even have to make any sense - just to compound the intrigue?

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Wed 21st Jul 2010 11:57

A great poem, Ann, in every way. You are a sensitive observer of everything, with a keen eye for beauty in any form. I think teenage empathy and your own artistic bent for loveliness in the human form would cement such an image.

Lynn Dye

Tue 20th Jul 2010 23:06

Enjoyed this very much, Ann. I agree it is strange how some visions just stay with us over the years, which makes this poem so easy to connect with. xx

winston plowes

Tue 20th Jul 2010 20:07

Really liked this Ann. one idea... Might it be ok if it stopped after the word 'spoke' (i.e. deleting the last 2 stanzas)? Win

Dave Bradley

Tue 20th Jul 2010 19:40

I like this Ann. The structure and use of language creates a musing mood, which fits perfectly with the content. There are at least two universal themes we can all connect with. Why do we sometimes feel a strange connection with strangers? And why do certain moments - with a million to call upon - remain so vivid?

One to keep, should you ever get into chucking out mode.

Ann Foxglove

Tue 20th Jul 2010 16:55

Wrote this the other day, blogged it after reading Gus's poem - Boy Meets Girl. My version of the same thing.

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german boy

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