Posted by Atticus on August 29, 2004, at 8:27:16
In reply to Re: poem ... Cocoa Pebbles Madness, 1989, posted by Jai Narayan on August 29, 2004, at 7:35:35
Hi Jai,
I've actually still got a warm, fuzzy feeling from writing this poem. I deliberately chose a day from early on in the relationship, when we were just head-over-heels over-the-moon crazy-mad in love, and in love with the idea of being so much in love. And the effect on me has been as dramatic psychologically as the Effexor XR has been pharmocologically. As I wrote to Malthus, I just feel like I've finally given myself permission to begin reclaiming and treasuring many of the most mind-bendingly rapturous, transcendently joyous times of my life. I've spent six years looking at my relationship with Alyssa through openings in the charred wreckage of the divorce and the dark days that proceeded it. But writing this poem just somehow vaulted me over all that, and I feel wonderful this morning, wonderful. I have ideas for three more purely Alyssa poems already, and a fourth where I meet Pez for the first time and Pez teases me about some of the things she's heard about me from Alyssa. And yes, I remember every detail about the first time I say Alyssa. It was on Sept. 30, 1989, at a party for the staff of the university newspaper held at the apartment of a student reporter named Nancy. Alyssa was my editor's roommate. (And yes, one of the poems is going to be about that party and our first encounter.)
I didn't borrow any of the language from "To Kill a Mockingbird" in this poem. However, she really did call me "Boo" almost the whole time we were together. That's the first real name (or real nickname), rather than a pseudonym, that I've used in any of these poems. It really helps me put my head back in that happy time and place. :) Atticus, who is feelin' pretty groovy this morning
poster:Atticus
thread:383480
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20040828/msgs/383593.html