deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Ballad Of No-Man Pam
Let me start by saying
I liked her.
It was as simple as that.
There were billions of people in the world,
and I liked maybe five,
but she was one—
complex and undignified,
farted with meaning in her beat-up car,
as the fog rolled in
and you were never entirely sure
where menthol vape met air biscuit.
We swam once a week together,
poured ourselves into awkward Lycra
and willed each other towards water.
Shy of babysitters, her Son joined
the weekly death-walk along
the pool side.
I hadn’t met him before.
A quiet lad, dark haired, well-furrowed
autistic, but there was magic
as I watched his mind process the world.
How everything became a celebration,
where his hands clasped infront of his smile,
wild legs thrashing in the wave.
I observed them together for a moment.
Watched her take the arm of her teenage Son
and tentatively lead him through the shallow.
How his ankles would lock to the floor
an inch from the red flags where
the swim got deep.
Wondered what it was like for her
to bring up her boys on her own
with needs so much bigger
than herself
wondered if she had dreams,
or if she packed them away
as she kissed his head in the only way
a mother could kiss something she truly loves.
I felt lighter on the way back to the car.
Light enough to swing my stick in a way
that felt safe enough to be seen.
I liked her more after that.
Published 16th Feb 2024
| Edited 17th Feb 2024
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 9
reading list entries 3
comments 8
reads 375
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
16th Feb 2024 8:59pm
This sparks memories & moments of magic in my mind. If Taryn was here, she'd fill your page with her enthusiastic thoughts. Consider her spirit romping through my comment. So much more brilliant to say than I can!
16th Feb 2024 9:26pm
Aww. I miss her.
I’m glad it sparked some memory in your mind. That makes the writing of it worthwhile in itself.
Thanks for the love
-M
I’m glad it sparked some memory in your mind. That makes the writing of it worthwhile in itself.
Thanks for the love
-M
18th Feb 2024 1:53am
Well look who showed up. its good to see your words again, Missy. This write of yours is why you belong here. It's a good day to be in DUP.
18th Feb 2024 9:03pm
Hello my lovely. Yeah, I’m here, tentatively. Now my rocks are a bit more in a line.
Thanks for the kind words.
-M
Thanks for the kind words.
-M
18th Feb 2024 10:45pm
Truly envy your ability at poetic storytelling and drawing characters with words, and truly happy for this place to have you back & posting again, even if it's just for a short while.
18th Feb 2024 10:56pm
Hey there.
I really enjoy story telling. Seems to have become my “thing”. So I’m always glad when others enjoy it too.
We’ll see how it goes. I had a good break because I had some real world stuff to deal with, but I normally come home.
Thanks for the kind words :)
-M
I really enjoy story telling. Seems to have become my “thing”. So I’m always glad when others enjoy it too.
We’ll see how it goes. I had a good break because I had some real world stuff to deal with, but I normally come home.
Thanks for the kind words :)
-M
31st May 2024 2:51pm
This is a fantastic poem. What makes it even more intense and touching is the fact that it reminds me of my autistic sister and the daily struggles my old mother faces to take care of her. I'm grateful and humbled to have witnessed this moment of poetic truth and beauty. Thanks for sharing!
Mundus
Mundus
31st May 2024 5:06pm
What a great comment, thank you so much for sharing. I love hearing how it resonated for you with your sister.
I really appreciate you checking this out.
-M
I really appreciate you checking this out.
-M
