Knot Eye
by Bill Yarrow
The diagnosis was peculiar, the doctors agreed,
but so was the condition. He had knot eye.
He was unable to see a piece of string, but he
could see the knot. He was unable to make out
a plank, but he could see the darkened whorl.
He was unable to see his girlfriend's discomfort,
but he saw her stomach tighten as they discussed
Thanksgiving. She wanted to get married. He was
afraid. Their bickering led to lumpy disagreements,
but he knew sooner or later they'd fall back into
each other's arms. That's the way it is with the world.
What waits for us at the end is embrace. He stared
into the large mirror in her living room and watched
as she wound her stringy arms around his skinny neck.
but so was the condition. He had knot eye.
He was unable to see a piece of string, but he
could see the knot. He was unable to make out
a plank, but he could see the darkened whorl.
He was unable to see his girlfriend's discomfort,
but he saw her stomach tighten as they discussed
Thanksgiving. She wanted to get married. He was
afraid. Their bickering led to lumpy disagreements,
but he knew sooner or later they'd fall back into
each other's arms. That's the way it is with the world.
What waits for us at the end is embrace. He stared
into the large mirror in her living room and watched
as she wound her stringy arms around his skinny neck.
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Author's Note
This poem appeared as part of a 2010 e-book entitled "Wound Jewelry" published by new aesthetic.
The poem appears in Pointed Sentences (BlazeVOX, 2012).
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Love this. Strange, sad, imaginative, hugely moving in very few words. Wow, Bill. *
Interesting poem to read, Bill.
*
Peculiar, yes, and creatively written.
Fave!
String/knots - a metaphor I keep coming back to (how long *is* a piece of string?!) Loved this.
Nice enjambments in lines 3 and 10. Yes. Good closing image.
I agree with Sam, I like enjabmment 3 best.
I question the use of lumpy. It's not that it ruins the piece, it does however stand out.
Overall I like how odd and normal this is. I love the image of a string but only the knot.
I like. A guy who appreciates the ocean but misses the boat.
Nice piece.
Great story...awesome descriptions. I really love the last line; says a lot.
"...as she wound her stringy arms around his skinny neck."
This is very good. Can't believe I missed it off and on all day.
Did you ever get a sense, intended or after-thought, of "Not I" as in self-denial, avoidance, unawareness?
Very moving. It takes it's time even though it is so compact.
I do wonder about the use of "lumpy".
It reminds me a little of Oliver Sacks' way of seeing the world.
And I love the double play of the title.
And that's the truthhh. Good one, Bill.
Lovely. *
Bill I found this an interesting departure for you, but no less good.
*
I could not love this more. It's clever and engaging. I love how it explores its own feelings and connections. That's magical. A perfect, beautiful example of the art.
how nice to think that what waits for us at the end, is good.
That's the way it is with the world: very nice, Bill.
This is a very simple yet beautiful piece. I like the image of them throughout.
Though I must say, I agree with Cherise in that the word "lumpy" caused me to pause.
One of my favs in poetry.
I've been thinking a lot about Borges lately and Knot Eye very much connects with those thoughts. *
So creative, Bill. I don't know why I always like to read your pieces backwards...maybe because they always work both ways. Either way, I like this lots. *
great piece, what else can i say. flows charmingly but not too charmingly and sweetly, lifted up for me midway through "lumpy disagreements" that clever allusion to the title and of course bringing it from the eye to the mirror at the end ... marvelous.
Such a telling disease. Love the imagination, the truth in it.
That's the way it is with the world. Love the circularity of knots and strings. Missed this when first posted, glad to read it now. Peace *
wow; it's like you're describing the pin and showing the whole poster board it's stuck in