No snags, I promise,
simply a gift so that we might part smoothly,
our points of difference buried.
The distance between two spikes
might once have measured our connection,
an infinite world of tenderness there.
But now, it’s enough
that each sharp star speaks of something long gone.
Perhaps you’ll take this cactus with you;
grow into it from afar,
rooted by it wherever you go:
Uluru, Rio, Arizona.
Perhaps you’ll leave it behind,
allow it to stand in place of you,
holding your memory
in the same way a picture might,
or a closed book on a shelf in your room:
a silent, internal way,
the way of the animate,
the wrist-watch, the ghost.
I’ll tolerate either choice,
for some winter’s morning
you’ll fly home to darkness
and you’ll know that you’re alive,
because you’ll stroke this cactus,
recalling the moment it was offered,
and it will prick you,
and it will hurt.
Originally published in Blackmail Press 13. Reprinted here with permission by the author. I love this poem and hope to hear Siobhan read it and others on June 12 when she’s the Guest Poet at Poetry Live, The Thirsty Dog, K Road, 8pm. If you’re in Auckland, see you next Tuesday!
For more Tuesday Poems, go here.
I really like this poem too. I got to hear her read it when she was in Wellington recently. Killer ending.
cool, Helen. Maybe she’ll read it next week! Glad you stopped by — see you over your place soon…
Very cute – and just a little vicious
Nice choice of poem.
Yeah, I like that too. Not too sweet.
Shouldn’t it be ‘Uluru’ not ‘Ulluru’?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru#Name
duly noted — I think you are right!
It’s's a very cool poem. what a wonderful symbol of pain and separation the cactus is here. Great image flying home to darkness stroking the cactus perhaps expecting fond memories and instead feeling the prick of revenge.
Yeah, all those prickles. But the tenderness in it too — both mingle here, and can’t be separated.
Mm, I love the train of thought that carries on after the gift has been given – the never-ending ‘perhaps’. Siobhan’s poetry is just stunning.
Yes, Elizabeth, the stated and implied perhaps… it works so well. Glad you enjoyed this one.
For me, a completely new taking-off point for a love (?) poem. I love its irony and imagery.
Yes! Love poem in an unexpected form. I like it too for all that — it’s got some layers to it.
Very clever and real poem. I love the images and spike mixed with the once warm and soft intimacy.
Yes, the softness and prickliness go hand-in-hand, I think. I like that about this too. Thanks for stopping by!
It’s more of a poem of farewell, I feel, than a love poem, but ‘perfect’ for that. I always enjoy Siobhan’s poetry and this one is no exception.