Edith's Room from Graduation Night by Laurie Shaw

EDITH’S ROOM

IN EDITH’S ROOM THERE IS A WARDROBE
AND A COLLAGE MADE OF MAGAZINES
HER CHEST OF DRAWERS OVERFLOWS WITH CLOTHES
GLASS PERFUME BOTTLES AND BLUE JEANS
AND I’M SAT ON THE CARPET
WATCHING THE MIRROR WHILE SHE ROOTS FOR A BELT
WHERE COULD KATIE HAVE GOT TO?
IN HER GLITTER AND HER PANTHER PELT

IN EDITH’S ROOM THERE ARE EYES OF DOOM
THE TINGLING WINE AND THE HORNED PERFUME
IN EDITH’S ROOM IT’S OPPORTUNE
FOR PASSION TO ADVANCE ONE MOVE
IN EDITH’S ROOM THE BED IS CURSED
WITH NUMBERED NIGHTS THEY DID THEIR WORST
I DON’T KNOW THAT HE WAS HER FIRST
THERE’S CONTRACEPTION IN HER PURSE

IN EDITH’S ROOM THE HEATER’S ON
IT’S MAY THE FIRST AND THERE’S A DAZZLING SUN
THROUGH THE THIN CURTAINS IT SETS THE WALLS ABLAZE
AND ALL THE WHILE THAT STUPID ROCK AND ROLL RECORD PLAYS

IN EDITH’S ROOM THERE IS PINK PLASTIC MODELS
AND A NOVELTY MAKE UP BOX AND PERFUME BOTTLES
FASHION MAGAZINES HIDE PRE-TEEN NOVELS
AND I HEAR HER FATHER JAVELIN GARDENING SHOVELS
HER MOTHER IS SCREAMING AS CUTLERY EXPLODES
EDITH SLAMS THE DOOR AND SAYS SORRY ABOUT MY FOLKS
AND SHE TAKES A LONG SIP OFF THE MERLOT
IN MY SHAKING FINGERS
LINGERS ON THE NECK AND THEN STRAPS ON HER HEELS

AND THERE’S A BEAUTIFUL QUICK STEP SHE DOES
ON THE LAWN OF DROUMNEYVANE
AS THE RAYS OF SUNSET SWEEP ACROSS THE CARS AND CARAVANS
AND I WANNA TAKE CARE OF HER, WHISK HER FAR AWAY
FROM THE KICKED IN KITCHEN CUPBOARDS
AND ROOMS OF AERSOL SPRAY
BUT WHAT IF SHE WANTS TO SINK HER CLAWS INTO ANOTHER
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY GOING DOWN?
HEADLIGHTS BLAZING SPHERES IN ORBIT
AND MAYBE IT IS ONLY A PHASE
AND I THINK; TELL HER, RING THE DECLARATION BELL
OH EDITH, I DON’T WANNA LET YOU GO

• Alternative
• alt rock
• pop
• rock'n'roll
• Kenmare