Written Notice

On more than an instance,

When I’ve been idler than a broken lamp-post -

Time weighing heavily on my hand,

As pen and paper prove closer than a brother:

I have taken written notice of slit eyelids upon a chocolate face,

Accurately chronicled after carefully observing -

Playful fingers twitchily twist a neck pendant,

And spin a plastic band on a wrist’s axis

Hands press down a dress’ length for modesty’s sake

 by Kevin Orato (Notes)

The slow-motion, almost rehearsed brush of the brow,

Unsaid appreciation for the Viewer’s attention

How seamlessly well she blends with the surrounding;

Not merely part of the furniture but its mantelpiece

Manipulating without earnest effort, events around her;

Keeping in check any intrusion and mischief.

As if by magic wand, conjuring up occurrences

But like a skilled orchestra conductor, directing tune.

Never really losing her ladylike comportment -

Apart, of course, when acknowledging the Observer.

I draw stealthily behind her while she’s otherwise occupied,

Helplessly tranced here by a distinctive impression upon me.

Trusting, perhaps, that by hovering around unnoticed long enough -

I just may catch whiff or fully understand this aspect;

A special quality causing such mystic absorption -

It results in frenetic reflection of the literary kind;

And the bizarre desire for more than just the written word.

Oh, what a worthwhile passage of idle time.