I got two pieces of good news yesterday: I passed my interview and I start my work placement on Monday; and I won £100 worth of shopping. I am a little relieved about the interview because it could all have gone horribly wrong: I went to freshen up beforehand and there was an incident in the public toilet. I can’t give you details because I have embarrassed my sons enough and Tory Boy is still hoping for a career in public service; it all worked out for the best in the end, is all I can say.
The competition was run by my landlord, Stockport Homes. A woman phoned to say I had won for this area in their ‘shop local’ competition. I had to say in 100 words why I use my local shopping centre in Castle Street; it was part of the ‘use them or lose them’ campaign, as independents are being squeezed out by big business. Think about it: you can buy your groceries, your furniture, your clothes, your pet needs, your insurance, your lunch, and pretty soon your bank services from Tesco; and you can get it cheaper than any single shop can offer you. Sounds good, but will you think that when the next general election is sponsored by Asda? The candidates will have to start the day with a group hug and a yoghurt. Makes me queasy just thinking about hugs that early in the morning.
I have to spend the money in the local shops and claim it back. I’m not sure how it will work because the lady promised to send me an email with the details and I’m still waiting. Could it be cat-and-mouse, Stockport Homes style? We promise you something great – money, a kitchen – and then you never hear from us again.
It is ages since I last won anything. At least I do occasionally win stuff: the poor Hub has only ever won one competition, and that because the odds were stacked in his favour. He put petrol in the car one day and went to pay for it, when he noticed a sign above a box inviting him to put his name in for the chance of winning an England shirt; the date showed it was the last day of the competition. As he dropped his entry form in the attendant said, ‘You’ll probably win that.’ ‘Really?’ the Hub replied. ‘Yes,’ she said; ‘You’re the only person who’s entered.’
*
I still miss napowrimo so I am going to take part in some weekly poetry prompt exercises. This first one is from http://rallentanda.blogspot.com/ We have to write a poem inspired by Feet Beneath The Table by Charles Blackman, 1956.
Here’s mine:
Feet Beneath The Table by Charles Blackman, 1956
Alice – louche, right-eyed and pushy.
Nailed by the artist.
There are no shivarees at this party.
Carroll quivers in his grave, unveiled
to 21st Century eyes as
Charles Dodgson, paedophile.
Truth huddles, sad, like long-held pain.
*
*
‘Shivaree’ was yesterday’s Word of the Day from Dictionary.com and I just had to use it:
*
This prompt is from http://writersisland.wordpress.com/ We have to write about an imaginary friend. My poem is based on something that happened with my boys when they were younger; I have to find a better title:
A Tale Of Friends And Brothers
Two brothers, eleven and six.
Six – being six – had John
and Michael living in his head.
John and Michael and Six
were inseparable until the day
Eleven – being eleven – ate John.
Six wailed; Mother bellowed,
‘Eleven, sick him up at once!’
Eleven feigned retching.
John was returned
to his rightful mind.
I think your Alice poem is brilliant. The line “Truth huddles, sad, like long-held pain.” is beautiful. And you’ve punched right in there with truth!
V
LikeLike
Thanks Viv. It was inspired by that poor, dejected little rabbit on the left.
LikeLike
Oh,my; this imaginary friend, the cannibalistic older brother (mine would have done the same mean thing), and the return of John to his right mind is just brilliant. Very fresh take. Salute.
LikeLike
Thanks Ron. 🙂
LikeLike
Both these poems, and your story about local shopping, are really charming! I especially like the second poem and the last line in the first poem. Really delightful!
LikeLike
Thank you, Marie.
LikeLike
Glad to hear the interview went well…I found both of your poems quite interesting, however the Alice poem I favored best.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed writing it.
LikeLike
Hi Linda,
Lucky you winning the shopping spree! I liked how you described Alice as “right-eyed and pushy” followed by Nailed! As Viv says, you’ve punched right in! The tale of two brothers is funny and typical!
LikeLike
Truth really is stranger than fiction!
LikeLike
I agree that Blackman nails Alice in this painting.It’s a very unsettling painting and your poem captures that
quality. Good one LHW!
LikeLike
Thanks Rallentanda – and for giving us such a good prompt.
LikeLike
Everything about this post is disturbing – but I do like to be disturbed, sometimes!
Hope Hubby’s going to wear that England shirt for the world cup!
LikeLike
Disturbed is good 🙂
Yes he will; but he wears a South African one for the rugby.
LikeLike
Love what you created from this painting.
Pamela
LikeLike
Thanks, Pamela.
LikeLike
Quite a chilling message you pick up from the painting, but he has painted a bleak picture for us to interpret.
LikeLike
That he has.
LikeLike
Both good ones, Linda.
Got to say, clever mom to come up with the barfing thing. I never knew anyone with an imaginary friend(well, there was the toilet paper fairy, come to think of it, but she was temporary), but imagine there would come a point where all concerned are getting tired of it. Funny.
The painting, not so funny. I always thought there was a cruel edge to the Alice stories. (of course, I used to believe the Three Stooges were cruel, too) You gave me a new word in “louche”, thanks, and I like your interpretation of the little critter.
LikeLike
I love that your new word is louche and not shivaree!
LikeLike
Nice take on the painting. I have the image of a quivering Dodgson now stuck in my mind.
I love the expression “sick him up”. My nephew had an imaginary friend when he was the same age, but I always found it a bit creepy.
LikeLike
Thanks; and thanks for your visit 🙂
LikeLike