A Study in Charatcer
A Study in Character
My aunt….
wears jewellery that winks as she walks
and she always has a sharp, shivery look
that you pay attention to …just in case!
She makes the world around her nervous
and I can hear it in my own voice;
it’s as though I have a secret
that she is about to discover,
one she won’t like!
My aunt….
has eyes that are shadows,
dark, hidden…
stretching to intimidation
because it’s always difficult to tell
what lies in shadows!
She is also an opposite;
anger lines track her forehead
while a narrow smile rides his lips.
My aunt….
always looks pale and cold
as if she has never been warm in her life
while her voice is a footprint in the sand,
light but very noticeable.
My voice?
Well I keep it prepared.
I take my words out and polish them
before saying anything in front of her.
My aunt….
likes to say to people,
“Are you listening
or are you listening
to what I am NOT saying?”
Then she would stare
as if it is a challenge,
her jib offering a sense of menace
lips chewing, fingers fisting.
My aunt…
sometimes stands very close to me,
a face dancing with twitches,
temples creased, crinkled and cracked
and I stand there as intelligent
as my left shoe, the one with the hole in it.
Then suddenly I feel highly strung
as she plucks me like a guitar
that has over anxious strings.
My aunt…
I remember the first time
she asked me something about myself
and, suddenly, I couldn’t find my voice.
So I sent a speeding bucket
deep down to my inner well
and I hauled up a meritless reply.
Yes my words are like me…
shy!
My aunt….
yes my aunt…
is a very unpleasant headache
dressed up in clothes….and jewellery!
Ian Souter
10/12/24
Copyright © Ian Souter | Year Posted 2024
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