Disappearing Ink
by Bill Yarrow
The inverse of disappearing ink
is invisible ink, writing (with
lemon juice, for example) which
can be seen only when warmed
(that is to say, burned). I guess,
their marriage was kind of like that,
him writing with ink that disappeared
over time, her writing with ink no one
could see. As the years passed, she could
no longer find him, though she looked hard.
As the years passed, he couldn't read her
(could he ever?) even as she became heated.
They didn't run out of each other's ink.
They just grew tired of reading, I think.
is invisible ink, writing (with
lemon juice, for example) which
can be seen only when warmed
(that is to say, burned). I guess,
their marriage was kind of like that,
him writing with ink that disappeared
over time, her writing with ink no one
could see. As the years passed, she could
no longer find him, though she looked hard.
As the years passed, he couldn't read her
(could he ever?) even as she became heated.
They didn't run out of each other's ink.
They just grew tired of reading, I think.
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Author's Note
This poem appeared in BLIP Magazine, guest edited by Courtney Eldridge.
The poem appears in Pointed Sentences (BlazeVOX, 2012).
Other stories by Bill Yarrow
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This is sad. (Though true, I think I might know those people.)
Great mix of tone and image - "They didn't run out of each other's ink." Yes. Good piece, Bill. Enjoyed.
I love the analogy, Bill. This piece has a strong base in the concept of ink, writing, history, all subject to the changes of time.
I enjoy the way in which this story needs to be a poem. *
Bill, this is so masterfully done. Sad, but well done.
Lovely poem, sad, lilting, loved the ink, writing imagery and connotations. *
Great little metaphor. So true and real.
strikes a chord. saw this in blip and liked it then, love it at second reading here. it is sad.
wonderful use of analogy and imagery, and I like the carry-through of the images. It reads like a story and feels like a poem. *
Very clever and creative - wonderful way to to tell this story, Bill. You made it all so clear...
Great poetry, artful analogy, compact narrative, archetypical characters, fateful relationship. I enjoyed.
Brilliant! Yes--clever and artful and original. And very funny! Loved the final couplet.
*
Sad, but strong metaphor. Well done! *
This is so so sad and beautiful. So full of the painful reality of so many relationships. *
YES!
How sad, but how true. Beautifully done. *
Fantastic Bill. You make me love poetry more and more.
Last line = perfect.
Smart,sad,true,and ultimately fulfilling. Very nicely done like a composed photograph taken by a master of the art.
This burns pretty. Favorite.
Love this one, Bill.
great metaphor, and the sad ending -- tired of reading. hits me hard. peace *
Fantastic! Perfectly crafted. I swear I read this somewhere other than BLIP magazine too *
loving this again!
Bill, this is really nice.
Fine piece! (I've lately been contemplating a husband character who writes love notes in pencil!)