Thursday 14 February 2008

To The Unknown Lover

(yes, I think I probably wheel this out every year, but I still like it)


Horrifying, the very thought of you,
whoever you are,
future knife to my scar,
stay where you are.

Be handsome, beautiful, drop-dead
gorgeous, keep away.
Read my lips.
No way. OK?

This old heart of mine's
a battered purse.
These ears are closed.
Don't phone, want dinner,

make things worse.
Your little quirks?
Your wee endearing ways?
What makes you all that?

Stuff it, mount it, hang it
on the wall, sell tickets,
I won't come. Get back. Get lost.
Get real. Get a life. Keep shtum.

And just, you must, remember this --
there'll be no kiss, no clinch,
no smoochy dance,
no true romance.
You are Anonymous. You're who?

Here's not looking, kid, at you.

by Carol Ann Duffy

7 comments:

  1. hah, that is the perfect tribute.

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  2. Well, that's fucking depressing, isn't it?

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  3. A bit depressing but well-written.

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  4. Jamie: I'm glad you like it -- you always were a fan of what Carol Ann Duffy I sent you.

    Amanda: I'm sorry you thought so, I thought it was wryly amusing.

    Dune: I'm surprised you liked it -- I thought you'd rip it apart!

    Mez: Nuh-uh, you are.

    Steph: Almost could have been a personal motto of yours, back in your MFZ days.

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  5. That's a fantastic poem! Say what you like about CAD, she's very talented.

    Used to be how I felt about things.

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