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Wednesday, 27 April 2016

It was too early, by Steve Harrison

It was too early
It was too early on a Sunday
It was far too early on a Sunday morning for a bunch of roses..
What was he thinking: a bunch of roses so big that only his receding fringe and newly-acquired waistline were showing either side of  them! Could it be just a thank you? ..or was it a going-away gift?…or the first step in  a process of courtship?
Two dozen pink stems spreading out from the elegant gold tie. No last minute hopeful garage dash: this was planned if not predictable

Whatever; it was far too early...
She was temporarily back at the family home and this undetermined gap between jobs and relationships allowed for new thinking and new possibilities; but this potential avenue for experiences was unexpected and exciting; but worse: might awaken dad, and even worse, the suspicions of mum..
Maybe mum  could help with finding the true intentions of this suitor and would he suit her... but  the sound of fat tyres on gravel, a dog woken, unfamiliar voices in the kitchen, a hurriedly-concocted coffee were all still too early for a Sunday morning.
She had been warned... did he come with  his DNA inbred suitor suite of activities? ... her women friends observing but not participating could form an advisory alliance together, but should she just let nature flow? ... let her feelings guide her way?... embark on a new relationship to exorcise the last one?
Was she just another make in his Haynes manual to women?
An orderly male mechanical process?... the flowers, the poetry, the nature walks, the themes in common?... Was this human-mechanical-biological, or a naked-ape justification of his own behaviour: the stag enticing the does?... she was doe eyed... and young and on his patch...

The fresh petals made a new medium for her; ground in a mortar and pestle mixed with liquid; strained through muslin a new pigment was conceived.
The stems went on the compost heap..

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