(Central Java)
He steppedfrom a shop doorway,
stood.
Our eyes held.
Then I was past
in the taxi.
A fair woman,
considered beautiful
there.
And he
lean, dark,
piratical.
Not Indonesian.
Too tall, curly-haired ...
a mystery.
That was all
until, back home,
headline:
These men missing,
believed dead.
He, centre photo.
Portuguese engineers,
East Timor take-over
(1979).
Already escaped
that day?
Or
visiting
and went
back ... ?
[Poem #86]
Sharing this, years later, with Poets and Storytellers United for Friday Writings #149: The Joy of Walking Away. (Not exactly on prompt, which fortunately is not compulsory, but at least it involves leaving.)
Comments from original posting:
ReplyDeletePearl 13 March 2010 at 04:01
hm, tantalizing how close we get sometimes to more of the story.
Rosemary Nissen-Wade 13 March 2010 at 10:45
We were both out of context. He drew my attention simply because of his incredible handsomeness. And I, as I say, was considered a great beauty there by dint of my colouring (though not at home lol) so I guess it would have been the same for him, that and a curiosity on both sides as to what this person was doing there. It wasn't a great tourist resort or anything.
We didn't even realise East Timor had been invaded until we got home from our holiday; it happened while we were away, and we weren't listening to world news.
There was another bit I must write about too: some friendly young soldiers at a friend's house in Surabaya, whom I later realised must have been on their way to do the invading.
Pearl 21 March 2010 at 06:39
wow, friendly young soldiers on their way to an invasion. funny how that can be.
I love a mystery!
ReplyDeleteThis is one I'll never solve.
DeleteIt's interesting, the things that first draw our attention when we first see someone. And if we happen to find out more, that can tell us a little something about ourselves too.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a sucker for a pretty face!
DeleteIncredible... finding his picture in the paper in those circumstances... what a world we live in!! And I love the idea of verse portraits... and the word count rule! A super way to bring all the people you met or almost met into your poems!
ReplyDeleteBy now I have a whole list of people to commemorate, but have let the project lapse a long time; it must be time to revive it. But really, I don't see that it need ever stop altogether, until I do. If I ever get to 365, I might stop there.
DeleteI find these 'tidbits' fascinating ... yet another glimpse into the woman who is Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteA.long life can't help but be varied and eventful – as you would know too!
DeleteI love how much is said in between the gaps - it adds a sense of ‘what if’. Also love the rhythm and flow - Jae
ReplyDelete'What 'if' indeed! Forever unanswered.
DeleteI love the mystery in the story, and the short lines used in the storytelling. Great job! I guess everyone has some memorable personalities they have come across in their life's journey. :)
ReplyDeleteThe longer one lives, the more there are.
DeleteIt's on prompt. Part of walking away is wondering exactly what one walked away from.
ReplyDeletePK
Not much joy in this one, however.
DeleteThat's a very intriguing incident, how mysterious it must have been to meet eyes with a person who was later known to be missing. I wonder what you felt at that time . Very interesting indeed
ReplyDeleteReading that newspaper item, I had mixed feelings of hope and fear as to whether he had or had not escaped the slaughter. And it did all seem very strange, that momentary connection which was not a connection.
DeleteI love the brief notes and the thoughts in-between.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete