The Stranger's Spine

By nur hidayah

I have memorised the Oriental ridges
of your bony back
the language of my topographic sanity

I have moved to the wild dance
of your night ocean spray hair
the choreography of my ballroom existence

I have listened to the soft pats
of your sneaker steps
the intense pulses of my orchestra heart

I have melded my soul
to the curve of your joyride spine
to the tree of your sketched bloodline
the written epic of my fading past

And I have drowned in the scent of you
the scent of nothing
the scent of maybe something

You have conquered
the known world
and colonised it across your
posterior anatomy
the continent of my being
painted on you
walking away.

Maybe once
just once
beautiful stranger
you would turn and look my way.

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.

Published on Thursday, April 5, 2007. Filed under: "Poetry"

Awards

July 7th, 2022

Comments on "The Stranger's Spine"

A former member wrote: Every time I read this, I want to die.
On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, soloiq (24) wrote:

dig that ending...well I do
A former member wrote: stunningly secretive and spy.ful.....a wisp of hedonism meets imagination...funny, there are those who catch eyes easy enough, but to capture a soul, a heart.......a hypnotic write here.
A former member wrote: Come back to us. You are so profoundly missed... please.
On Thursday, April 26, 2007, carlosjackal (2787) wrote:

=) The images and form were gorgeous, I feel enriched and inspired by these words...Fan-bloomin'-tastic!! -Carl
On Saturday, April 21, 2007, asphyxia (56) wrote:

3. This is so beautiful, Nuri. It's always fascinating how someone you don't even know can just move you.
On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, purr_verse (1052) wrote:

dammit, that's what I was going to say. >:) Divine write; evocative, enriching, moving and emotive. Beautifully done.
On Saturday, April 21, 2007, asphyxia (56) wrote:

1. I relate to the beginning of your profile; I'm brand new but have been viewing the site for over 3 years. 2. Thank you for the comment! I wasn't expecting any because of how new I am.
A former member wrote: All I can do is just breathe this in..
On Sunday, April 8, 2007, Carmina Gitana (149) wrote:

I love this! I generally like the body-as-world imagery and it's done particularly deftly here. Some wonderful, unexpected turns of phrase too. Great write!
On Thursday, April 5, 2007, verablue (106) wrote:

i agree with magic hatter...haunting, but the kind that keeps you coming back for more because you cant forget. so many intense descriptions..."your joyride spine", "sketched bloodline", "topographic sanity"...fantastic.
On Friday, April 6, 2007, The Zebra Warrior (1495) wrote:

yes!!....Amen :)
A former member wrote: "the intense pulses of my orchestra heart" goodness...those last four lines are like stakes driven into the heart...I often wonder, while sitting alone, who might be watching me, whom I might not notice. Excellent piece. ~*Beth*~
On Thursday, April 5, 2007, nur hidayah (114) wrote:

Thank you. Chances are someone IS watching you. Many times I have wished this stranger would know how much she has brought into my life without even knowing my name, without me even seeing her full on her face. People are whole worlds unto themselves.