Morning With Clarissa Dalloway
INSPIRED BY CHARACTER OF CLARISSA DALLAOWAY IN VIRGINIA WOOLFE'S STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOVEL "MRS. DALLAOWAY"
Today morning - sunny and crisp!
went to Mulbury's, the florist on Bond Street
to get some Carnation...they have everything -
sweet peas, irises, delphiniums, bunches of lilac
and roses! Oh my! saw Mrs. Dalloway getting flowers!
she is such a remarkable lady -
always find her at this store buying flowers!
Her husband, Richard, is in politics -
They entertain a lot of people - influential
people! She is a perfect hostess (Peter, her suitor
long time ago, believed so)!
she always greets me with so much warmth!
she looked a bit too white today, too pale - heard she was sick!
she asked me which flowers in the store looked freshest
to me! Big Ben chimed the hours!
Clarissa Dalloway appeared a bit pensive!
“These carnations always remind me of my father’s garden,
and I walking with Peter Walsh -
do you know Peter has gone to India!”
“what is he doing there?”
“In Military, I guess...he always wanted to. His letters are
awfully boring -I don't remember the date he is returning...
but who can forget his unusual remarks?”
while walking through Regent's park,
I found a very strange couple…
the girl, Italian, so pretty and young, but an anxious look!
Her husband, I am guessing, he is her husband…
was young too..but he appeared so distressed!
He was talking to himself! the fresh beach-like
air got overshadowed by a young man's hazel
vacant eyes!
Who doesn’t enjoy a sunny day like this?
London, Big Ben, buying flowers!
But Clarissa is in a rush ...
"I have a party tonight..need to prepare little details..
Hugh is coming too -
my childhood friend, and his wife,
and the doctor, who is excellent in treating people -
those who are returning from war, got injured
in the trenches, and somewhat shell-shocked!"
Clarissa Dalloway, wife of an influential politician, Richard...
told me she was going to go home,
and mend a dress for the party she was hosting that night.
How interesting! hostess of a party with rich and famous,
mending a dress herself with needle, thimble, and thread!
she is almost looking forward to Peter dropping in her party too...
Peter, Peter who never forgot how
Clarissa declined his proposal to marry him!
She married Richard instead, but why her eyes looked a bit melancholic,
though she has everything she opted for!
she confided in me "you know what,
Bond Street fascinates me! I always had a passion for
shoes and gloves! But my Elizabeth
doesn't care a straw."
Big Ben boomed hours. Clarissa waved bye,
she needs to return to her palatial abode,
and get ready for a sumptuous party she is hosting tonight.
At this moment Richard is dining with Hugh and Lady Burton,
members of high society. Perhaps
Richard will get Clarissa some roses,
he bought her a bracelet two years ago, but noticed
she didn't wear it!
how long did he not say he loved her!
Copyright ©
Malabika Ray Choudhury
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