R.A.D. Stainforth in his rainy black and white world...
is rain-splotched
from a long walk home.
You're shy, just bad-tempered enough
to refuse an umbrella or car.
At the center of my heart, I listen
for the hydroplane of your shoes in the hall.
I anticipate the underwater look in your eyes,
your full damp-wool embrace,
the scent of your hair
in my face,
like an expensive hand-rolled Cuban cigar.
tk/June 2012
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| Puddle, 1952, M. C. Escher Join The Mag creative writing group. |
So sweet, Tess. And this could be just the perfect poem for this day. This day is that much more special when our dads aren't with us any longer. That "long walk home" truly is......
ReplyDeletemmmmmm... now I want some rain.
ReplyDeletebrilliant no other way to discribe
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of rain... and I love to be in it. There's nothing like the feeling!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You always, always get it right and are such an inspiration to beginners such as me.
ReplyDeleteI remember my father "rain-splotched" from the farm in late afternoons.. This poem is just perfect, Tess.
ReplyDeleteI love the damp full embrace and scent of the hair ~ My dad used to be ill tempered, now he has tone down a lot ~
ReplyDeleteLovely poem Tess ... rain has magical properties ~ you gave us magic today.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful poem- especially the last three lines.
ReplyDeleteYou're shy, just bad-tempered enough
ReplyDeleteto refuse an umbrella or car.
I know a person like this! LOL
Intermittent rain-splotched memories are the sweetest. This is a fabulous tribute from the centre of your heart. Thank you for sharing your love here, Tess. =D
ReplyDeleteAww ..... Your heart belongs to Daddy :)
ReplyDeleteStubborn, rain splotched, hydroplane shoes and the smell of rain.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visual this all creates.
oo some really cool touches...the scent of hair like a cuban cigar def stands out to me...and the hydroplaning shoes in the hall....very nice willow...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! A poem one can hear, feel, smell. What is love if not listening with your heart in anticipation of an embrace? {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteLovely, Tess. I especially like the last five lines... underwater look is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Tess. The end just perfect :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Muchness of feeling, fewness of words.
ReplyDeleteIntermittent.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I read it, tessy, jumping back two stanzas, rinse, repeat, moving on, enjoying.
just wonderful....x
ReplyDeletelush and sensual....
ReplyDeleteCan someone please explain to me the need for Stainforth's cigarette for every video? As Peter Griffin said, "A French man smoking a cigarette is not a movie," or something like that, which really isn't, and the video is not even a movie.
ReplyDeleteThe cigarette is Stainforth's trademark. If we were sitting in his flat, listening to him recite poetry, he would most likely be smoking. In my opinion, it lends a natural, charming touch to the video.
DeleteStainforth is not French, neither are we trying to make a movie.
But you do belong in a Powell/Pressburger movie, Tess.
DeleteI know where I'm going!
DeleteI'd like to explain the cigarettes ... but I'm not going to ...
Delete'I know where I'm going'
DeleteJust watch it again Saturday night.
Still a great movie.
It's one of those movies I watch on a regular basis...it's like comfort food in film form...
Delete"but I'm not going to". ha ha
DeleteTo each his own... yes, it does add character, although, I wouldn't want to be in a small room with him as I HATE smoke. But, it works here. :)
A wonderfully touching and timely piece!
ReplyDeleteFull of a sense of a rainy return! Warm and sensual.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is filled with liquids, affricates, and low, round vowels. Which, coincidentally, his voice really brings out well.
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer in the concept of poetry being heard...Stainforth delivers my words on a silver platter...I'm very fortunate to have him read my work...
DeleteWet and cold- and wool, hair- cigarettes/cigars- definitely memory jogging and staining!
ReplyDeleteGood
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine poet you are.
ReplyDelete=)
'rain-splotched'....magnificent! Won't get hearing RAD till I'm home as I'm in the library and no headphones available! That voice!!
ReplyDeleteYou paint such amazing images with your words. Can feel the damp wool scratchy wool touch the skin, smell the scent of rain and cigars. Nicely penned.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I remember the smell of rain showered wool.
ReplyDeleteHer Dad? Thought she was talking about R.A.D.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully sensual...it's sort of true love you got there!
ReplyDeleteAwesome write,I was not expecting romance form this write or written in the way that you have done it.
ReplyDeleteI love how you can look in a puddle and see love and warmth, and i see only death and misfortune looming. ! . Ahh, it is Christmas here,after all.
ReplyDeletethe scent of your hair
ReplyDeletein my face,
like an expensive hand-rolled Cuban cigar.
There is a certain aromatic sensuality of sweat and raindrops mixed. You have brought out that imagery in the open with your verse. Great write Tess!
Hank
...just bad tempered enough...
ReplyDeleteCRAZY about that line. Lovely mood and I enjoyed seeing this in my minds eye.
Love that ... the scent of your hair ...
ReplyDeletefull damp wool embrace ...
You are awesome. I felt that.
Oh God this is superb....
ReplyDeletesuccinct and sensual.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant poem Miss Tess!..
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
Awwwww, Tess! You paint such a lovely picture full of smells and touch!!! Absolutely love it - and, as I'm reading him right now, this reminded me of Tranströmer (last year's Nobel Prize winner).
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely compliment...thank you...I love Tomas Tranströmer's poetry!
DeleteThis is so sweet and romantic. Lovely write.
ReplyDeleteLoved the way you wrapped it up...nice images here.
ReplyDeletewonderful sense of this person, the smell of them the sound, the rain. lovely
ReplyDeleteThis will sound soo cheesy but... I can feel the love here. :)
ReplyDeleteAt the center of my heart, I listen
ReplyDeletefor the hydroplane of your shoes in the hall.
Well -put lines
Dearest Readers, you are the best. You really are. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Tess, this very nice - I can smell it and know the type! Wonderfully personal and yet universal. k.
ReplyDeleteThis line is fantastic:
ReplyDelete"My favorite you
is rain-splotched
from a long walk home."
A magical write Tess.....your talent with pictures carries over with your words...you always capture a feeling and memory so amazingly!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful poem! I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Fine form~! A most excellent poem~!
ReplyDeleteThe incomparable Ronaldo Stainforth is in fine form as well, poem and reading matching peak crescendos. And as always his voice has the undeniable indelible quality and so tantalizingly sexy~!!!
ReplyDeleteSuperb and with the inevitably inspired Tess slant. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Perfect for a rainy day--or any other kind.
ReplyDeleteAt the center of my heart, I listen
for the hydroplane of your shoes in the hall.
That, and the "underwater look in your eye"--swoonable.
Thank you.
nice video
ReplyDelete