Get Your Premium Membership

Asking the Way Part Two

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Howard Kerr.


"Well  to  a  certain  degree  yes I  really  don’t  want  to  impose.
I’m getting  used  to  my  deprivation."    As this strangely odd conversation began I couldn’t  help but notice  several  books  strewn  about  the  passenger  seat  some  of  which  she  was  clearly  trying  to  hide.  The  subject  matter  varies  from  Science  Fiction to Psychology.  There  were  rather interesting  tomes   as  well  on  assessing  people's  personality.   “I  love  talking  to  people.  You  are  no  exception.  Recent  events are  troubling  you  aren’t  they?  Your  life  story  is  in  your  face.”
There was an understandable hesitation on my part.
We both shared a curious common dress  sense in terms of sombre dull dark  shade.
For  total  strangers this heliacal accord was in evidence.
“Perhaps  there are overlapping aspects in our life experience.”
Loose comments ripple off.
“Don't  be  so  defensive.
Maybe  we  are  all  looking  for  something  in one  sense.
I  believe  this  happens  when  we  lose people or possessions  that are close  to  us.    Maybe  you aren’t  missing anything  at  all.“     There  was  a. chilling  precision to  her  words  as  our  probing  dialogue  continued.

“Wouldnt  say  its  a  figment  of  my  imagination  though.”   An arch retort on my behalf.
A Cat and mouse game  was  unfolding  here  with  creepy  undertones.
“What  has  happened  is  very  tangible.
Well  it  is.”   I deadpanned.
“Did  I  realise  what  I  had  just said?"
This  time  to  myself.  I  could  now  feel  the  full  force  of  this woman’s  stare.
There  was  something  not  quite  right  about this encounter.  On  closer  inspection  her  accent  was  surprisingly  youthful  for  her  age.     From the corner of my eye I did spot  alterations.
Unnatural  alterations  to  her  countenance.
Quite amazingly  an  unexpected motorist who  intrudes  into  my  life was  almost  able  to  choreograph every thought  and move I had in mind.  A suspicion  now  occurrs  to  me.
One dares not even whisper it’s sinister backdrop.
“You  have  been  scrutinising  just about everything  haven’t  you?  The  books etc.”
I then  interrupt.  “You  forgot  to  die....I  mean  dye  your  hair.”

Those inklings of mine assume an unstoppable momentum.   Silence ensues.
 I  started  to  shudder.   After a brief  interlude  we  both begin to laugh.
Glances were exchanged as hair-raising atmospheres start to  segue.
The lady in question was  still  trying to block my view.
“Somethings  are  best  left  unsaid.“   A wicked chuckle emanates from her.
“My  name  is Martin.  Whats  yours?  Aren’t  you  going  to  ask  the  way?”
Shivering visibly as I spoke.  “I  think  you  already  do  know  who I  am.  People and  things  can  always  assume  various  forms  can’t  they?  Thats  always  been  my core philosophy.
Maybe  yours.“
Her tone now from an azure blue sky zone beyond comprehension.
“As  for  directions I think  we  both  have  helped each other  in that regard.“
  Now I felt glued to the ground.
Without warning this mysterious person  drove  off  as  quickly as they  had  sprung from nowhere.
One couldn’t  help  hearing  a  thud  even  in  trance-like phases.  In a flash  it  all  made  sense.
“Oh gosh.”   I  shriek.  On  the  green  verge  to  the  right  of  me  I  saw  a  book.
“SIGNPOSTS  TO  ETERNITY - ASKING  THE  WAY."
VERNA  USHERETTE.
This ominous lady bizarrely reverses.
“I’m actually her ghostwriter…. for a lookalike friend.
She dreamed of writing but had no talent.”
This weird  twist didn’t stop there.
“You’ve been sending me fan mail all along.”
A smirk widens in tandem with pearlescent eyes.
“I’m really Verna and have been in search of you!”
I must have appeared thunderstruck at this point.
“Oh, Juno is this author’s real name.
“She had delusions regarding her stature.
Juno managed to fake her own death with my endorsement."
Crime scene units could not unravel the “fakes” at play right now.
“By the way in another sense,
If you know what I mean.”
A mysterious woman who finally speeds off is no longer so mysterious.
R.I.P. to quite a of things!
By the way, I ask you as the final episode closes on this mind-boggling incident or has it?

Posted :June  2nd  2021

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/26/2022 10:41:00 AM
WOW!!! What a creative story/write. Love It. You could do a fun book out of this. You may like my write, “A Journey” (1/20/2021). Have a blessed day/week...........................
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2022 3:14:00 PM
Quite the ending there, and obviously fiction!! methinks you hope to meet a woman this enigmatic!!! Great short story you wrote.
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things