a shade of aubergine masks the night sky
like the evenings in flinders lane,
only warmer, quieter, less exciting.
*
these days adult sensibilities bother me less.
fight less, and things get easier.
perhaps it's adult acceptance. i don't quite know.
*
sitting jetlagged by the window.
it's such a still night outside.
as if the world is asleep and i'm just watching.
*
the other morning i saw gold coins in the trees outside the tate modern.
made me think of morning drivetime to richmond.
i made a list of things i should do before i forget.
but i'd forgotten to write them down.
maybe better, so i don't lament.
*
Some days I get a strange ache in my bones.
It's as if there's misalignment of my joints, nerves, skin;
Like restlessness, disappointment, frustration, exhaustion, all
Rolled into one little knot -
Too small to pinpoint, yet too persistent to ignore;
Tugging at the corners of my mind.
Just teasing, like wind in hair, smell on fingertips.
*
I was once given a pink notebook.
A pink notebook that came from Seoul.
It was kept away for a long time;
Along with the crazy number of notebooks I'd been given.
I've started writing in it, filling the pages
With things I saw in Seoul,
Funny that things always come full circle.
*
Everytime panic starts to defeat calm
I find myself completely reactive.
Fears hyperbolised, relief displaced
Centuries away, seemingly.
Terrified of inertia
As if there isn't a choice.
*
When is a choice a right one?
Weigh your pros vs. cons, they always tell you.
How do you quantify each pro, each con, factor, reason;
Pit need against want.
How do you know opportunity cost, if you've never taken the chance?
Walk the line, and see how far you go.
*
The ghastly greyness of Seoul is strangely comforting. And I was so relieved
To see the cherry blossoms and magnolias.
I felt almost
At home despite
My complete oblivion of the world that happened around, in Korean.
I left my ipod in the suitcase;
Wanting to soak in all the sounds and let the senses
Bask in everything I'd come in hope for.
The rattling of subway carriages, the sweet aroma of fish broth from the pojang macha,
Yellow rain falling on black Hyundais.
Some days were easier than others
Some prettier, sunnier,
Tastier.
The narrow streets of Anguk made me happiest, as did
Moments just as we stepped through the sliding door of the apartment building
Together because it always meant a new adventure was to begin.
*
Pics are up.
1. Coffee and churros
2. Scones and strawberry jam
3. Mojitos and sunsets
4. Dusty pink and sugarcane
5. Beach holidays and icy-cold watermelon chunks
6. Red shoes and happy days
7. Twee and summer driving
8. Lonely evenings and Monday tv programming
9. Two people who really like doing the same mundane things
10. Ballet pumps and skinny jeans (I don't care what people say)