Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Late night snack

I was hungry for cheese.
I wanted some of that
German white cheddar
flaky, dry and cleansing.
I was also thirsty.

It had been warm
in the day as a
Spanish spring afternoon.
The cap for the cold sat on the table.
The night changed to Russian bedclothes
and snuggled close as darkness.

I wanted borracho;
I wanted to slam dunk
against the skylight of the stars
banging my forehead at
the glass ceiling of the night.
I danced with the cap
and cured the disease of closed.
I shouted my affliction at the night;

I shouted dark words into the darkness
and watched them disappear
knowing I would dance in the day
knowing in my arms
I would find the smell and warmth of you
knowing I am so familiar with
your lips, wordlessly
telling what I am
and me, like a stupid tourist
puzzled and hypnotized
by this strange language
enjoying not to know.

22 comments:

Pat Paulk said...

I see Darth is dancing with his light saber again.
"I wanted to slam dunk
against the skylight of the stars
banging my forehead at
the glass ceiling of the night...." Fantastic!! If all the "dark side" were full of beautiful words like this, I'd come over!!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Hey Yoda! Thanks for the complement. I'm glad you enjoyed these humble liness. If you came over to the dark side, it really would be full of beautiful words. Thanks for the nice comment.

Roger Stevens said...

Clever! I like it - especially shouting dark words into the darkness.

We're in France right now having a little holiday. Mostly relaxing. Jill is editing the first half of my new novel and soon we'll be going for a walk. And tonight I'll be cooking a paella.

Lovely poem.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Roger! Enjoy your holiday (am I jealous, why would anybody think I'd be jealous?). I'd love to be there for the paella. When is Macmillan coming out with your new book of poetry? You must keep us informed.

The best to you both and don't make Jill work too hard. I expect some nice new lines penned in France, by the way!

Roger Stevens said...

Hi again. The paella was yummy, even if I say so myself. One of my better ones.

The book comes out early in the new year - not sure of the date. Publishing can be so long winded.
Don't worry - I'll let the whole world know when it finally makes the shops.

Best
XXX

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Roger and congratulations on the fine paella. I'll be waiting to hear when the book hits the shops. Have a good time and keep us posted on all the interesting bits of your holliday. Enjoy!

gautami tripathy said...

Beginning of your poem made me hungry. I had to get up to get some snacks.

gulnaz said...

lovely poem, made me hungry for some cheese!
loved loved the last two stanzaz

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks gautami tripathy! I was having the snack I described while I wrote that. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Gulnaz! A good snack, a poem (I know this is not Omar Kiyam) and some loving thoughts -- how could life be better. Thanks for your wonderful comments.

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

nice poem -- made me hungry, too -- going to look for some cheese. :)

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Andrew! Happy snacking and thanks for the nice words.

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

Hunger and love in the same mouthful yum-beautifully graphic

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a jubilant evening of fresh love. Very nice!!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Sue. Glad you appreciated this. Thanks for the great comment.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks jessi louise! Glad you wandered over my way and I enjoyed finding your blog too. Thanks for both of those and the wonderful comment too!

Madame B said...

i love the transitions of this poem--the knowing, the unknowing, the desire and the bliss

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Madame B! Sometimes it seems as if happiness is an act of measuring gaps. Other times it is, as the poem says, somewhere else. Glad you found things to love here. Thanks for the great comment.

Anonymous said...

So many layers to this rich poem, Russell. It tells so much more between the lines you have carefully threaded. Enjoyed.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Aurora! I'm glad you gound a feast for your sophisticated appetites. Yhanks for the wonderful comments.

iamnasra said...

I loved this part especially

shouted dark words into the darkness
and watched them disappear
knowing I would dance in the day
knowing in my arms
I would find the smell and warmth of you
knowing I am so familiar with
your lips, wordlessly
telling what I am
and me, like a stupid tourist
puzzled and hypnotized
by this strange language
enjoying not to know.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks so much Nasra! Glad you found enjoyment here. Thanks for the wonderful comment.