A Poem in Three Parts by Abi Burlingham
At the start of this project we asked people what 3 three things they felt united everyone across the world, the things that everyone might experience. We had an overwhelming response with over 2,400 words coming back, including things such as love, faith, heartbreak and money. From these responses we created a series of pages featuring the most frequently offered words, asking people to fill the gaps to create poems, short stories or raps. Visitors offered fascinating responses to the prototype activity and we have approached a number of local writers to ask for their input, too, which is how we came into contact with Abi Burlingham.
Abi is a fantastic local author and artist (who can be found at https://abiburlingham.com/) who answered our call and went above and beyond by replying with this beautiful poem inspired by the words. This poem will be featured in a booklet we’re creating, full of the responses to inspire other writers. We’d love to share responses here as well.
The Wedding
Through the arch of roses – white - a faint veil flutter, laughter rippling in its wake, one step and then another, tables clothed in food and wine and all the time smiles tinkle, faces wrinkle, eyes are dancing to the stars through fingers swaying, casting spirals in the air.
A time for celebration, a time to throw off care, concern and agitation. A time for joy and happiness, a time for a lover’s sweet caress, a dress so free that, when caught by a passing breeze, floats to the sky like a cloud.
The Funeral
Smiles stagnate in black and white on mantelpiece and wall, recalling far from half a story, a fragment, sharp and clear, turned on its side like a slither of moon.
Allow me to feel what I must - in my own way. Entertain my faith, diminish the space between each member of the human race, regardless of features or colour of face regardless of place of upbringing, wealth - of money – sweet money like honey eaten from the pot, and when it’s gone it’s gone.
Earth upon earth, prayer upon prayer, feet as dark as shadows walking a path that threatens to last for eternity - that splits the heart and ends in heartbreak.
Longing
I long for jazz hands, for layered cake, my lover’s last caress and lip warm kisses. I long for love, the love that only my love can give. I long for grief that lasts for ever – a tether from heart to beating heart - that wraps me in arms stronger than the most rooted tree, cooler than the coolest breeze slowly shifting.
I long for love for love for love, for eyes the colour of sea glass softened by whispering waves. I long for the sway to the song that will stay in my heart embedded and hard, rooted and fast. Friends, they come with sucked in smiles and fingers squeezing tight - the hands of friendship offered left and right and round and round.
And I accept – grateful for what I have, for what we have shared, for moments that cross cultures, with no divide, nothing to separate us the spaces in between us closing in.