TRAFIKA EUROPE CORNER with Clayton McKee: TWO POEMS by Jim Murdoch

Limerence and the Actress

I am, for some at least, an object, a thing, and,
grammatically-speaking, I can live with that.
Philosophically, maybe not so much.

From a psychological perspective, however,
I can see why I might become an object of infatuation—
you have to love some thing, you have to want some thing
and a fictionalised, idealised or even bastardised
version of that something can work wonders—
besides beauty is in the eye of the beholder
and if people want to imagine me beautiful
who am I to reject that?
I mean, objectively-speaking.
Make believe I get.
It worked for dumpy Norma with her plump thighs, big bum
and those extra ten pounds the cameras add.

I’m no Marilyn though. I am a work in progress, a project,
from the Latin to throw out there which is what I do;
I put myself out there,
I subject myself to Life and everything she throws back at me.
All I can say on that score is she’s been creative so far
although shit is still her projectile of choice.
She can knock a chip off anyone’s shoulder at fifty meters
or more with the wind behind her.

Identikit

Solitude gave birth to Silence.
Said nothing about the boy’s
father other than he was
“out of the picture.”

Shame is the bookies’ favourite
but I think he has Regret’s eyes
and maybe, on closer inspection,
Embarrassment’s nose.

Funny name for a boy, poor bastard,
but best not to read too much into it.

Akin

Life frequently writes himself into a corner
but can wangle his way out of most scrapes.
True, he lacks pizzazz but cheek, wit and sauce
can get you a piece at most doors.

Death, however, is a woman of few words, very,
leaving it to others to top up her stony silences
with more silence when all the tears and clichés
have run dry.

Like all siblings they’ve more in common than
they’d ever admit to sober or out of court and
their relationship careers between “We’re good
(stop asking)” and “It’s complicated.”

Mostly though it’s a work in progress.
Not much work. Precious little progress.

By Jim Murdoch

These above poems are by the UK-based poet Jim Murdoch. He has been writing poetry for over 50 years, and he has published two collections of poetry, a short story collection, and four novels. He ran the literary blog The Truth About Lies for ten years. Now, he continues to write and live quietly in Scotland. Jim’s poetry ruminates on life, particularly its harsh, complicated aspects. He does so, however, with a sense of humour and an eye to linguistic play that make his poems a delight to read.

If you enjoyed these poems by Jim Murdoch, stay tuned for more of his work to appear in our upcoming issue of Trafika Europe with an all-poetry focus. Some personal problems came up over the past few weeks that have slowed progress. Our deepest apologies for that! Keep an eye on our socials for the release.

By Clayton McKee