Are you back yet Stan
Yes I have just entered my hotel room
I was having problems with my reception
What did you do today
I rode on the new Liz Line
Did you enjoy it
Very much
Where did you go
I went as far as Stratford
Why what was there
I decided to visit West Ham’s ground
Did you like it
Yes it was impressive
And therein lies a funny story as today and because the wind was chilled I wore that black jack mack that you got for me
Well I was just wandering around when I saw three ruffians loafing around
They might have been considering mugging you
Not a good idea
The world is full of dead muggers
Well when they saw me they looked a little alarmed which confused me
It was not until later when I realised that I was wearing a black jack mack
They might have thought I was a plain clothes cop and obviously they did not want to be there.
Did you buy anything at the club shop
Yes
What
Three carrier bags
Three carrier bags
Yes
Why
Because I like carrier bags
What did the carrier bags say
I am not a carrier bag
Funny Man Stan
Where else did you go
To the CCX Road
Did you visit a book shop
There are only two left
That is sad
Did you buy a book
Yes
What is it called
Giovanni Segantini Sein Leben und sein Werk
What does that mean
Giovanni Segantini His life and Work
He was a stateless artist you have spoken of him
Yes he was one of the most famous artists in Europe in the late nineteenth century but is now almost forgotten
He was a symbolist painter
Like the symbolist poets
Probably not as claustrophobic as he was an open air artist,
En plein air if you will
I have seen a number of his works on my travels
My favourite is The Punishment of Lust
It it shows women being punished for preferring a life of ease over a life of duty
They are suspended among the barren landscapes of the Alps.
There are hints that they may be forgiven as this dreamlike state is not unpleasant due to the beauty of the landscape
It sounds like one of you poems Stan
Possibly
He one said a really beautiful thing to his partner Bice
I rather like it
Take these unsightly flowers these violets as a symbol of my great love
When a spring comes in which I fail to send you such violets
You will no longer find me among the living
It is beautiful
But I have noticed of late that you no longer buy me flowers
That is because you threw the dried flowers that I gave you out of the window during one of our arguments
They are still there on the signalling equipment
Every train that passes is a witness to our folly
Whilst you are being childish I bumped into the Rev Jack and he asked after you
I told him that you were having an existential crisis
What did he say
He said that he did not believe me as of all people you are the least likely to worry about going to church as you have God inside you and have no need of the church
When you are there you tend to be engrossed in the architecture
I have the eye but do not understand the eye
Was the book expensive
It was from the bargain shelves
£1:50
That was cheap for London
I have found signed copies there before
Is the City of the Caesars to your liking
It always is
I will meet you on your return and who knows I might be holding a bunch of flowers
Or a tube map
Why a tube map
Because they are related to my carrier bags
Have you been drinking Stan
I do not drink
So why the abstract humor
Why not
I see we are going to have a silly hour
I am retiring soon
Think of me when you go to bed
I am missing you
I always miss you
You irritate me deeply at times
But you are a source of light
Are you writing at present
No just this
Just rest
We will be together soon
Till then Stan
Include me in your prayers
You have dozed off Stan
Too much travelling
I can tell that you are asleep
Leave your dreams open for me
And I will open my dreams for you
Jane x
ps – if you are watching the World Cup and pretending to be asleep then you are meat Stan
Red Raw Meat