Memory lain « Blood and Guts: Helena Lazaro

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Memory lain

April 28, 2008 at 7:31 pm | In poetry | 6 Comments

A long, long time ago

David’s Curls
I remember them
bristle-stiff and blonde,
tiny corkscrews
framing a heart-shaped face.

He was a panflute player.
An effervescent fuck
smelling of soap and musk.
From his roof downtown
I could see the back side
of a beaten down marquis,
The Million Dollar Hotel.
He would play records,
bands I’d never heard of,
while we drank cheap sangria
out of big plastic cups.

Most of the time
he made me feel stupid
and unwelcome.
It wasn’t his fault.
He was a different person
when he drank
(though that was often).

But there was one day
a long sober Saturday–
leisurely breakfast,
people watching,
summer shiftlessness–
that ended with a nap at sunset
together on his beat-up couch.
For a moment it felt as if
I might be able to trust
and fall into him.

Of course,
that wasn’t the case.

And nine years later
I’m still waiting
for that man.

6 Comments »

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There’s something so wrong yet so right about your poetry. Wrong because they’re almost taboo… The things that most people don’t speak of. But right because every woman roughly our age has experienced them. So we all know exactly what you’re talking about. Hope your health has continued to improve.

Comment by Jenn — May 1, 2008 #

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Stumbled upon ‘Blood and Guts’ quite by accident, but it has been a fresh and welcome treat; “A Long, Long Time Ago” is exquisite–crystal-clear imagery–definitely a song in that.

Well, Miss Lazaro, it has been a pleasure.

Comment by Tom Fahy — May 19, 2008 #

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Thanks for the poem, Helena!

Comment by Eddie — June 2, 2008 #

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Thanks guys Welcome, Tom, even though there isn’t often something new to see these days (as Eddie and Jenn can both attest to).

Comment by Helena — June 18, 2008 #

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Yeah. But it’s always worth the wait.

Comment by Jenn — June 18, 2008 #

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You have stopped talking to us through your pen for way too long now.

We need poethelena back.

love you R

Comment by Marina — June 23, 2008 #

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