Hi grasshopper,
An absolutely excellent poem!
I love the tigntness of the writing, there's a sense of control and tension
throughout the whole poem that also belongs to what it's saying! Like
Christina, I'm wondering a little about the word "cartography" (only
wondering, mind you, because I like the multi-syllable words - and the way
the poem gradually moves to more simpler language, and - by the last stanza
- is speaking so simply and clearly).
There's so much feeling (and not a feeling word in sight!).
I've been thinking about the additional information that's appeared about
Lavender as well... but, I too, sense the poem sets its own parameters for
the use of lavender - and may not need to say any more.
Bob
>From: grasshopper <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Lavender
>Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 14:42:20 -0000
>
> Lavender
>
>His flesh is cartography,
>a palimpsest of old engagements:
>bullets, knife, grenade fragments,
>powder burns on one thigh.
>Sometimes he tells her, often
>he starts then stops, sometimes
>he is unable to begin.The things
>he tells her are enough and more.
>He tells her about the heat
>and the cold, the waiting,
>the sensitivity of it all.
>
>She gave him the essence
>in small iodine-glass bottles.
>He uses it to treat the blisters
>on his feet. At first he worried
>that his men would laugh, but now
>they all carry lavender.The thought
>makes her smile, the fragrance
>of elderly English ladies carried
>into the little hells of the world,
>over permafrost and desert.
>
>In Grasse the purple acres raise
>a scent so thick, you wouldn't be surprised
>if it knocked larks out of the sky.
>The oil is pressed and collected,
>concentrated yet so gentle
>it can be applied neat to the skin.
>When he leaves she says, Take care.
>She dabs her pillow with lavender
>each night. They say it aids sleep.
>
> grasshopper
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