Thumbed through, passed down.

I thumb through the new vellum, and cream pages sent;
then notice little oval blood contours,
that match my own (spent days before).
Log spiked, thumb pricked, balloon of blood,

blotted on denim, anointed to ground.
And yet, one thing stood out that still astounds,
in distance and in time, by my slow read,
meant I had not thumbed as far through your gift.

To the line at which you paused, perhaps releasing,
for rhyme or reason, searched yet settled on neither:
simple amnesia or, like me, you too, had split
and stacked thumb-jab-wounded at dawn.

And bled in that way, the unconcerned dreamer does,
that leaves indelible fingerprints rolled,
by your self-imposed police of culture.
But unlike me, just moved a little farther,

and heard more of what it's black Calibri type set had to say.
Yet stayed your bleeding, stoppered your reading you did,
mindful that this gift was to be passed down,
to one son set adrift, by continental time, and postal delays.

I looked and compared, thumb to thumb, thankful,
mindful that this irredeemable blood, is
as mine, yet from you it comes.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: My father sent me a book, (from the UK to Australia) and I noticed that he'd been reading it up to a point by distinctive thumb marks. This is a reflection on that time distance relationship, and our shared interest - and missed companionship. He has never used the internet, posts everything - and i loved the fact that, the thumb prints were there - blood printed, from work in the garden like he always does. And matched the same bloody thumb, that I had - a kind of blood tie through love of books.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Tasmania,Australia,Earth,Solar Systems,Milky way,Pint of Guniess, AUS

Favorite Poets: Glen Richards

Comments

I really like

this snapshot of a poem. A strand connecting you with your dad, an unlikely strand in many ways for two lovers of books, but really a very intimate and touching one.
no crit on form or function, it's expressed beautifully and poignantly.
Thanks for sharing.
Jx

Thanks Jane..Dad,

is nearly eighty, but still goes out for walks in on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border where he lives. He scavenges book shops and sends me little curiosities - and the other week, a long awaited copy of Armitage "The Unaccompanied" turned up, blood thumbed, and I figured he'd had a quick read, which he always does. he didn't really start reading poetry until he retired, and now is both avid fan, critic and perhaps pens the odd one in secret (I think) - he loves Gray and Coleridge also Armitage and Larkin, he bought a job lot of my little books and distributed them back up there in Newark on Trent, as an advocate for me as encouragement. I t really is a tribute to him, as is " The fire children" - I wrote some time ago.

Thanks for stopping by.

Take care,
Chris.

Oh Chris

Fascinated to find out you have a book, will immediately find it - thank you google!
Aren't parents wonderful? Am currently in my 80 year old Mum's hairdressers as too difficult for her to get there by train these days, so happy taxis steps in.
Does she go for blue rinse and curlers? Does she hell. Top trendy salon in Harrogate, I can't think of affording. Lol, good on her.
Will research your book.
Jx

Oh bless..

That's classic, I only see my mother once every 3 years now, and i swear she gets more right wing with each visit!
I can save you time on research! Be the among the first of..at least five people..to storm the Ginninderra press site for my two titles, and help feed a starving cat:

http://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/1044/Chris+Ha…

http://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/930/Chris+Hal…

Or if you're willing to hop on a plane, you borrow it from the national library of Australia - ahem:

Thanks again, and I hope your Mum got the hairdo her heart desired :)

Take care.

Chris.