It's Still Life

The View

I was in a black ooze mood the day
I painted that colour in this room.
Last year’s peril turned the walls
a sooty colour of cognac and coffee.
It casts a mood that obscures
views of my neighbour’s rose garden.

Never mind yellow rose innuendoes,
everyone’s always home over there,
and ignore the purple periwinkle
that scampers wild like lost veins.
Her roses are ceremonious.

But my neighbour’s a martyr to every
storm, scant scent of rain, and wind-
beaten grace. That’s just not my way.

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Alternative Version:

The View

I was in a black ooze mood the day
I painted that colour in this room.

Last year’s peril did up the walls in
a sooty colour of cognac and coffee,
and it casts a mood that obscures
views of my neighbour’s rose garden.

I ignore the purple periwinkle
that threads wild like lost veins.
It’s her roses. They’re ceremonious.

.

But my neighbour’s a martyr to every
storm, scant scent of rain, and wind-
beaten grace. That’s just not my way.

Written for Miz Quickly’s Day 5 “Obstacles” and PA’s “Special” Photo by Daniel Jerez on Unsplash. ©Misky 2021 Shared with #apoemaday on Twitter