Rosalind and Helen (December 24th)
But I tell you the syntax is wrong Helen
Would you like me to fill your glass again?
If you would
Many people have said it does not hang together
What does not hang together?
Shelley’s poem
Do you like my new PJs?
Even Shelley admitted there were errors
I purchased a pair for you they are on your bed
The obscurity might have been deliberate you know
Your PJs are violet I know that is your favourite colour now put that silly book away and get changed
The gates of that dark refuge closed
Came to my sight and almost burst
The seal of that Lethean spring
But these fair shadows interposed
Rosalind stood up and looked at her friend who was stretched out on the easy chair near the door
Very well I will put my pyjamas on
It was so sweet of you to buy them for me
What is Christmas if two girls cannot wear new pyjamas?
As her friend changed Helen picked up the poetry book and began reading Rosalind’s notes
See Helen see how beautiful they are
You know you would look beautiful in paper bag
Nothing hinders your beauty
Rosalind smiled as she knew her friend had been reading her notes
Our story is not written in the highest style
I am going to the kitchen for another bottle and when I return I expect to see that book on the bookshelf with your other books
Helen left the room and returned seconds later with a bottle of wine
Is the book on the shelf?
Yes
It isn’t I can see it hidden under the cushion
Shelley began the poem in Marlow in 1817
Quiet
Rosalind picked her book up and returned it to the shelf
Her take this it is cheap and nasty
Blotto
Blotto
Helen sat next to her friend and kissed her lightly on the cheek
Duly at evening Helen came
To this lone silent spot
And soothed her own dark lot
You have missed some lines
I know
Oh precise Rosalind you are as flawed as I am
No I am as unflawed as I was one minute ago
Then why miss the lines?
Why do you think?
You are playing games again
No the answer is simple sweet Helen
But I will not tell you until Christmas day is upon us
Rosalind drew her friend closer no more words were exchanged and the only sound that could be heard was the flickering of tree lights
Christmas Day was only a matter of hours away but when it arrived it found both Rosalind and Helen asleep
Deep in each other’s arms
Lanzarote (December 25th)
I was sitting on a bench outside of a supermarket when you rang me
It was Christmas Day
You were on a beach in Lanzarote
I asked you to purchase a German football magazine for me
You agreed and enquired of my day
My feet are in the sun but there is much shadow today
I am sitting in the sun as the air is warm
A loose parasol protects me but my feet are exposed as yours are exposed
We share the same sun
As I walked towards the Underground Station you met me by the bookstall
You were wearing a pink bikini but attracted no attention
Are you not cold as the air is sharp?
This is only a fleeting visit as I will have to return to the island almost immediately to pick up my belongings
But do not fear for I will return quite soon
I said nothing as we walked towards the Underground Station
We will be catching different trains
Yours will be going west and mine will be going south
The hall of the station was crowded with seasonal travellers
You touched my arm and kissed me lightly on the lips
Look for me on the platform and wave and I will return the favour
And then you were gone
I made my way to the platform
Our trains arrived simultaneously
I looked through window of the carriage hoping to catch a glimpse of you departing
But you were not there
As my train moved away I looked at my bare feet
Hoping to see your reflection
Sir Francis Drake (December 26th)
We let his coffin slip into the sea in the bay of Porto Bello
A poet on the shore wrote
The waves became his winding sheet the waters were his tomb
But for his fame the ocean sea was not sufficient room
I did not listen to these words
The strangled echoes of the muskets and the guns hung around the bay
Godfrey looked up
What are you doing Godfrey you are awfully quiet?
I was just reading an account of Drake’s passing
Lighten up man for we are about to travel in time to meet the New Year
Yes I will finish now
Do you know that Drake only survived Hawkins by eleven weeks?
I think he died of a broken heart
Bernard placed a glass of sherry on the Sorrento next to his friend
Here drink this as I think gales are imminent
I would not want you stranded in this week above all others
Just over an hour later both men left the house comfortable with their meagre luggage
It is going to be a long journey my friend sometimes dangerous but it will be a journey full of rewards