Today’s prompt (which you can read here) was to listen to a song you know well and make notes. Then look in your ‘muddle drawer’ where you keep odds and ends, and make another page of notes. Finally, merge the two pages of notes and write a poem.

The song I chose was Soul Love by David Bowie from his Ziggy Stardust album. I saw him as Ziggy in the early 70s when I was about 14. I hope he forgives me!

The items in my muddle drawer were a pack of tea lights, a tiny retractable tape measure, old glasses, and a pack of those paper decorations that you have to unfold into a circle and hang up.

Fleeting Hours

With thanks (and apologies) to David Bowie

 

New words flicker

from your careless lips.

A tea-light lights up

my stone-dark soul.

A spark? Fusion?

 

After you’ve gone, I descend.

Pray to the priest that your new love

is not just a slogan.

 

Defenceless, I peer at my phone,

get that eye-twist

you get using glasses

from an old prescription.

 

Knowing

you won’t message this

love-blind, blurred-lines idiot.

 

I could open my paper heart

360 degrees, find my own perfect circle,

in your light, bright, breeze,

 

I could flame with love for you,

my dove.

 

But you see me as a retractable

measuring tape

you can keep on your keyring

just in case.

 

Waiting for your love

is not loving.

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