Poetry & Prose by Carol J Forrester
You.
It’s burnt into my memory
that open mouthed gape
swallowing my words,
and the back turned
mid-sentence on an answer
to a question you had asked
only for the slow spin,
arm triangled over your head
as you scratched your scalp,
and those frown scrunched nostrils
somehow still flared
in a state of confusion
when I refused to speak
to a man not facing me.
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019. She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can. Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears. She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works. View all posts by Carol J Forrester
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That’s an excellent title, Carol, and I like the stream of consciousness of the poem, the frustration at the drawn-out-ness of the reaction, ‘the slow spin,
arm triangled’ and the ‘nostrils somehow still flared in a state of confusion’. You’ve captured the reaction so well.
Thanks Kim. It really is a memory burnt in. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it
I can’t say that I blame you. A wonderful title and your reaction to his non-reaction….ditch him!
It wasn’t his non-reaction so much as having someone utterly disregard me after asking me a question. He seemed genuinely confused as to why I’d stopped talking after he started walking away.
This is so good (and relatable). I loved the title and how you pictured those fine details — triangled arm, scratching the scalp, flared nostrils, et al. put us in the scene.
Thank you. It frustrates me how annoyed the memory can still make me.
I really love this, especially that gesture of scratching his scalp… something I feel a bit guilty of doing myself a few times… Hope I have not pissed someone off.
I think it was the asking a question and quite literally walking away while I was mid-sentence answering that annoyed me. You’re probably safe on the scalp scratching.
Ha… if you asked me a question, I would probably be way too happy to answer… a bit of opposite.
To turn your back on someone when they are speaking is the height of rudeness. The next notch up from talking to someone without taking your sunglasses off.
I’ve not heard the second one? Wearing sunglasses indoors yes, but not in general. I get horrible headaches from bright sunlight so I try and avoid taking mine off if I’m wearing them. Worried I’ve insulted someone now.
It’s something I hate. It seems only polite to take them off when you’re speaking to someone so they can see your face. If you have a medical reason for not doing it that’s different, but most people don’t.
I love the simplicity of your poem. Not a word wasted.
Most of us work a lifetime perfecting our listening and communicative skills. Some get better at it than others. This fellow needed an intervention for sure.
Nice description of his arm: “arm triangled over your head”
Such dismissals are unacceptable.. I feel and share your anger. (K)
Wow! I could feel this one! Love the title.
Good for you… Talking to some one who does not look at you is like trying to talk to people while they are on their phone! Well done.
Infuriating. I’m enjoying your “relationship” series.
Ah, the utter displays of stupidity that the human species demonstrates. More often, from the Y-chromosome-carrying variety of said species. You evoke your vitriolic frustration over the described ineptitude well!
I can feel your exasperation in these words – being ignored, not taken seriously – he can just keep walking.
Not fun to speak to someone’s back. My wife did I do it I think too often. Interesting write Carol. Thank you for sharing.
Yikes. It’s amazing how a small unkindness can last well beyond its shelf life- you’ve captured the injustice and meanness of random acts of unkindness very well. Reminds me to double my attention and stay as conscious as possible.