The Lost Life
Meeting up for lunch outside
at Tiamo, Lygon Street
next to Readings Books
my former student now a
distinguished novelistı
would surely test me.
When my student, had I sensed
in him a future in writing?
He hadnıt so impressed me.
Iıd let his other old teacher
at the reunion do the talking. Hugh
remembers much, I knew.
And heıs been reading the novels,
which I havenıt; ready to praise
them now to his face.
Arriving late, I find them
outside in the warm air, deep
in talk, starting their salads.
We oldies discuss retirement.
Do we miss the students? not much.
I doubt I woke in mine the love
Iıd wanted to evoke, for Wordsworth,
specially. The novelist recalls
Iıd seen him lugging Wordsworthıs letters
in the huge de Selincourt edition
you wondered could I manage them
thatıs how involved I was.ı
Forget the rest. Hugh and our author
exchange signed copies of books.
I keep my head down, sidelong looks.
We adjourn to the bookshop.
On the sale table, our friendıs latest!
I snatch it up, pay for it -
Iıve just had lunch with the author!
please bag it before he sees it.ı
They make other purchases,
we all shake hands again.
Iıd only saved five dollars, but
saved him from sale-table pain.
Now I will read it, I will.
'The Lost Life', good title.
Nice cover, story starts well.
Max Richards in Melbourne
|