The Flame

The Flame

 

 

 

 

His alarm abruptly rings

she is the north gale he hears

 

He dresses in a three piece suit,

An imported tie of silk, 

In a geometric print

she is the coffee that warms his face,

the quickened pulse that drives him

 

There are mergers impending,

clients to comply with before noon

she is the rendezvous at a small café,

the corner table in the diffused light

he tenaciously orchestrates his priorities to

 

he pulls his Mercedes

into the cobblestone drive

she’ll be the pulsations of water

dissipating a nine to five day,

the collective steam mirrored in the beveled glass,

that puts him in a cognitive mood

 

Evening rains hard

upon his shoulders

she’ll be the ample bed

where he lays his head,

the oscillating breeze

that permeates his sleep, until…

 

the alarm abruptly rings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

photography by Tatucya

 

 

Reviews

[dan]

Oh Kelly, I'm afraid you've outdone yourself. The way you split each stanza into a clear division of viewpoints is so smooth. Your yin to his yang, your white to his black. Till the reader realized that this symbiotic byplay does not show a competition but a partnership. Each enables the other while at the same time reinforcing it. Kelly this is going into my library of favorites, and I thank you for allowing me to share this piece in my memory. take care...dan

[Kelly Scheppers]

This is one review I am most proud of...thank you, Dan!

[....................]

Throughout the day she is the flame, burning between his normal routines and he is what fuels her fire. Love this!

[Kelly Scheppers]

...thank you, Thomas, for making my day!

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful and gentle tale. I like the places and set-up of this poem. Allowed the reader to feel the journey back to safe and sound love. I enjoyed the complete poem. Thank you Kelly for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, John. I am thrilled you enjoyed it!

[Coyote Poetry]

I did and you are welcome.

[ANTO]

I loved the dual text and colours - took me a wee while to get the jist of that but its inspired !
I saw a devoted couple here - her love being the power shower that helps him forget the stress of the workplace (thats an excellent metaphor - really excellent.
One of your best here Kelly :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'm glad you enjoyed the presentation, Anto. I was hoping the color font change would make for a good impression!

[Dara]

I love the way you have presented the woman as his comfort zone, where he can relax and unwind, his "ample bed" the "coffee that warms his face". It may be a "man's world but it is nothing without a woman or a girl"! I just love this one Kelly :-)

[Kelly Scheppers]

...I adore your quote at the end, Dara...thank you! ; )

[Einstein Noodle]

i love this .. thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth design .. the contrasts ... i am not and have never tended to be a suit man of such success but reading your poem makes me want to be him; and have her .. you lit my flame Kelly Scheppers :) very clever contrast between his real world and her personifications .. well done says i!
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Consider yourself hugged!! ...how sweet a review, thank you!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An interesting set out piece which leaves it open to several interpretations. It seems sad and a guy alone and fantasising about someone on one hand or it could be a guy having an affair or a dream for example. Nice flow and good descriptive verse Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Actually, it was intended as an affair, but it's good to see it can be taken either way. Thank you, John!

[R Smith]

Love the way you designed this Kelly, a two lane story, it feels like an affair but also just a guy working and coming home to his loved one, I like that somehow it acquired the quality of a 1940s film noir but the Mercedes pins it back into today, its probably the most romantic depiction of a day in the life that i have ever read and whilst his parts are the down to earth realism of everyday life her parts are the dreamy poetry of his mind and heart, one of your best ever poems and going in my library, maybe i'll lend it out to you at some time :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

How interesting, you mentioned this reminded you of a 1940's film noir! They were some of the best classics, weren't they? Thank you so much, Richard. ...and a very good morning to you!

[andrew mitchell]

Very clever write Kelly My first thoughts are an affair as the alarm bells don't necessarily mean to wake up from sleep but his conscience waking up! One ponders on such a good write!

[Kelly Scheppers]

...you get me, Andrew...I like that! ; )

[andrew mitchell]

Its all fish and chips really, forget the maths!! lol :)

[Richard🖌]

No wonder he goes to work … who wouldn't for such a wonderful woman who does all that, and what man doesn't drool at the thought of someone as beautiful-hearted and caringly romantic and sensual doting-on and spoiling them in such ways as you've so vividly word-painted into our desiring, stunned minds.

Kelly, you may have outdone yourself this time, but every time I think you have, you do one better, and that picture speaks volumes, setting the perfect mood for what's to come.

I love it bunches, Kelly, and would like to give a huge THANK YOU for the pleasure you've so creatively presented us to dream of! ~ Richard

[Kelly Scheppers]

I hope I always continue "to do one better", Richard. Thank you so much...sweet dreams!

[Richard🖌]

....smile*