Sunday, June 9, 2013

Virginia Woolf's Bedroom



It's the blue one at the end of the hall ―
cover it with poppies you bought yourself,
let pollen drop from your hair like wedding rice.

Lie on the child-like bed
under the narrow eyes of portraits.
Let your wasp eyes unhinge, draw honey.

Be made a woman here.

Slip endless stones from your pockets ―
raise the window against the rush of the river.
You prefer men to cauliflowers (and hours).

Let life stand still.



tk/June 2013

Thanks to R.A.D. Stainforth for this excellent read.



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43 comments:

  1. I watched RAD reading it via FB before I came here to read it. Exquisite piece of writing Teas.

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  2. love all the Virginia Wolfe references here.....beautifully done Tess.

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  3. I know Ronaldo's nose is large but I didn't think it could fit a bedroom into it! 8^)

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  4. beautiful...yes!

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  5. oh my gosh Tess this is wonderful!

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  6. "Slip endless stones from your pockets" Yes Brilliant

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  7. Positively sirenic; quite beautiful.

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  8. Dark references in this illuminating piece.

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  9. I've fallen in love, all over again with Virginia Woolf ~ great poetry.

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  10. I like narrow eyes of portraits! it spooked me when I first saw them follow me around- : )

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  11. I've been away for a while. It's marvellous to be reminded how engaging your poetry is. This poem flows like a dance. Well done Tess. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. I am SO embarrassed to say I know nothing of this woman. She was a poet, a novelist, I take it. Do you have a favorite? A few? I googled her and find her interesting... now I understand the reference to stones in pockets. So, let me know what book I should read first... Thanks ;)

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  13. "Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness"... in her letter to her husband. That bit got to me.

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  14. On my home ground again. Love it!

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  15. Sorry! One more question. Did you see the movie "The Hours" with Nicole Kidmann as Virginia Woolf? If so, did you like the movie?

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    1. An excellent movie...the transformation of Kidman into Woolf is amazing...although I don't think she deserved an Oscar for her performance...I recommend reading "Mrs. Dalloway" before seeing the movie...

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  16. I'm wondering if I should feel like a peeper for peering into Virginia's bedroom!
    I very much enjoyed your imagery.

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  17. I like 'the narrow eyes of portraits' - exactly so.

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  18. Thanks for all your lovely comments, dear friends...

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  19. Reading this was like keyhole soul surgery ! Thanks

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  20. “...she always had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day.” (Mrs Dalloway)

    Dearest Virginia, and dearest Tess, you enlighten the world with your words.

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  21. Life does indeed, stand still for this one, Tess.

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  22. Would that she'd slipped those stones out...excellent!!

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  23. The images and the words are beautiful. :-)

    ~Imelda

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  24. This is absolutely fabulous love it!

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  25. ... haven't been around in awhile... always a pleasure to pass through... your website is unfolding beautifully... as your words... i love virginia woolf.. what a gal... and you have so written her life's reflection in words i can see..

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  26. She's one of my favorites and I feel her move ever so softly through your words. Quite lovely.

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  27. This draws me like a fly to honey.
    Well done!

    =)

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  28. This is lovely so many hidden messages..be made a woman..

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  29. I appreciate your kind comments, dear readers...

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)