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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

THE FLOWER SELLER

Alexei Harlamoff, 1840-1922

All Stories Come True

The Algerian flower-seller beaten,
petals strewn on the French street -
always there is beauty to mark the blood in Paris.

She arrives at Gare du Nord on her way
somewhere else.
Before her next train, she sits
among the people in the Luxembourg gardens
in the shadow of the trees and Flaubert's bust,
eating a peach on a bench, slowly making
the afternoon hers.

She washes her hands and mouth, the hollow
of her throat and, on impulse, pours
the rest of the water over her feet.
A man comes running toward her
to make all the stories come true
and, looming, bends down.

With cool hands, he takes
the bottom of her foot and kisses
her ankle, the whole city pausing
for an instant. Then he runs away again
between the people, the gates, the trees.




14 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Oh my, how compelling Alaine . . . I want more.

alaine@éclectique said...

Hello Bonnie, she is very good, isn't she!

I tried to comment this morning on your lovely orange post but couldn't get the comment box to open! Grrr.. I will go back and try again.

Delwyn said...

Me too I need to know more..I was spell bound...

Happy days

alaine@éclectique said...

Hi Delwyn, that's how I felt after reading it!

steven said...

alaine - such beautiful beautiful powerful writing!!! "the fulcrum of the piece for me: "a man comes running toward her to make all the stories come true". i'll be scouring the net for more of gabeba's work. thanks so much!!!! steven

alaine@éclectique said...

Steven, me too, I'm glad I found her and have enjoyed all of what I've read.

Tracy said...

Such stunning, expressive, transporting writing...*sigh*... Thank for letting us know of this, Alaine :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Unknown said...

Hi Alaine,

Makes one feel something of an interloper, I think.

Love the new header pic!

Nancy said...

Hmmm, why did he run away?? I'm hooked...

alaine@éclectique said...

Must have been a happy, kooky soul?

Friko said...

Alaine,
what a wonderful poem! Who is she? You may know that poetry is one of my favourite pursuits but I have never come across her.I love your blog.

Lyn said...

Pure beauty, of words, of image...I followed her steps easily..I stayed near the Gare du Nord..also sat in the Luxembourg Gardens...waiting to be saved!

alaine@éclectique said...

Friko, thanks for visiting and glad you like it here! If you click on her name, there is a little snippet about her and a few more of her poems.

alaine@éclectique said...

Hi Lyn, you lucky girl; my last wish is to experience Paris!