I have paper
weighted down by coffee cup
as autumn winds
seem intent on catching it, lifting it,
giving it the gift of flight.
I am stuck on 3 across
(and will marvel at its genius
when it finally falls-into-place)
and then I see him (all screwed up)
peripheral
and wonder what demons he does battle with.
A wasp alights to feast on sugar
blown by breeze to strew the table,
I am not frightened of it, of its sting -
my fears lay elsewhere (lay with him).
Will he leave or not?
My fear is that he might stay…
(I am still stuck on 3 across.)
(I marvel at it (the wasp) - tiny perfect,
life compact in black and yellow skin.)
He unsettles me,
something I-cannot-quite-put-my-finger-on.
Is angst communicable ‘cross café tables?
He lights a cigarette
takes one puff of it
then snaps it throws it to the ground,
with anguished moan he lights another
and sucks at it
as if there is no
tomorrow.
as if there is no
tomorrow.
He has that leg thing,
right leg jerks up and down
causing chair to rattle,
he groans as he wraps head in hands,
a backfiring car elicits
startle response,
startle response,
wide-eyed he half-screams,
brings fist down heavy
shattering plate and peace.
He sees them (and me) voyeuring
shouts ‘What the f**k you looking at?’
stands, upturns chair and table
and with one loud ‘F**K YOU!’
storms off into his private hell.
(I am still stuck on 3 across.)
Anna :o]
The excellent Brian Miller is hosting Poetics at dVerse~Poets Pub today and the theme is PEOPLE WATCHING. This proved an easy task for me as I love people watching, letting my imagination run wild as I watch the world (and its brother) pass by. Thanks Brian!
Image: courtesy of Wikimedia Commons – author unknown.
35 comments:
Very poignant, one can sense the anxiety disorder in the character; also, a subtle hint of substance abuse?
oh dang...an intense moment...and he was obviosuly struggling and you caught that....love the frame of the puzzle in this...ha...that is a very cool texture...oy i feel for him...
I felt as if I were there. I bet I couldn't do 3-across either!
oh heck...i can imagine how he felt and then found people watching him...ugh..not easy...a great capture of the moment anna
Wow, this is powerful. If I hadn't written the one I have shared, you've given me an idea for another. You described this person so clearly I could amost hear him! (And was glad when he stormed away.)
A fabulous poem, so sad and haunting, you really captured the moment. Love the crossword references throughout.
Clever weaving of doing your crossword puzzle while observing the angst and private hell of the guy ~ I can see (and hear) him clearly too ~
Oh heck. He must have been strung as tight as a spring and ready to uncoil at the slightest thing. Some people can be pretty scary when a bit unpredictable like that. Glad he just exploded with his voice and nothing more. Well observed and written in such minute vivid detail by you. Loved the wasp too! Did you ever solve 3 across? lol
Wow! This is intense, Anna. I've seen that guy around, too, and he is scary! Nice write!
You really drew me in with this... I could feel your angst as well as his... and then how you weaved the puzzle into it made it all connect. I especially thought it ironic to be engaged in a people-watching challenge and then to be screamed at for watching!
Very intense! He must be battling unseen demons.
I enjoy this Anna! Very creative! A wonderful 'multi-media' presentation. Your x-word puzzle efforts and the 4-letter words all blend perfectly keeping the suspense right until the end. Takes a lot of talent on this one. Great, the best I've seen!
Hank
Great image. "Stuck on 3 - across was brilliant".
And the Yellow-Jacket -- fun.
Wow... I felt I was voyeur, and felt the intensity, very intimidating... amazing write.
Love the architecture of the puzzle, the desire for order as his disorder encroaches. I too felt a bit voyeuristic and caught out at the end. Fantastic.
A moment in time, distractions brought us in, great use of imagery here, a bonus to the observations. And the thematic twists are fun to read. Thanks
Superb. Vivid from start to finish, a delicious intro' taking us to a well etched portrait. Angst IS communicable ‘cross café tables - you've made it obvious to all.
i don't know if it's sadder to think that he has substance abuse or emotional problems. either way, i'm glad no one got hurt.
have a lovely Sunday, Anna.
♥
I absolutely LOVED this. This is one of my favorites of this week's prompt. So well-written and poignant! A perceptive piece.
What an uncomfortable moment. I couldn't help but wonder the cause of his torment. I like how you mention the 3 across. It made the poem so vivid and human.
Thank you for your kind and welcome comments folk - much appreciated!
Anna :o]
Wow, you so captured this - one person doing a crossword, the other in his own private hell. It sounds like post traumatic stress, addiction or mental illness. Poor man. I love the way you wove yourself and your observations. You took us there. I can see him.
Loved the way you start with the crossword then the awareness of the man - so powerful - and sad too. K
Well woven observations
Wonderful... wow-- i just notice the good doctor proffered an armchair diagnosis... jutzpah... I loved:
He unsettles me,
something I-cannot-quite-put-my-finger-on.
Is angst communicable ‘cross café tables?
He lights a cigarette
takes one puff of it
then snaps it throws it to the ground,
with anguished moan he lights another
and sucks at it as if there is no tomorrow.
a strong gathering in of detail...xj
Hmmm . . . I'm seeing schizophrenia. Great write!
intense. i hope that guy will find a way to face his demon.
great write!
A few seconds of reality captured here, Anna.
(And I am like that about all crosswords!)
wow you have a fresh style H! Keep 'em coming.
Cheers chums for your welcome comments!
Anna :o]
Love this! Lovely with a clever Kafka twist!
hmmm, The guy scares me.
Thanks Jenny and Marcel.
Anna :o]
Wonderful imagery and the crossword theme I can identify with as I am an avid fan of Cryptics. :-)
3-across is: "well-written".
Nick - thankyou kind sir (and I still haven't solved 3 across...)
Anna :o]
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