work, ethel, and another package

looong day yesterday, verrry long. after my usual morning class from 8.30 to 12.30, i taught "my" senior citizens one last time, from 1 to 4. a bit tough since i had a headache from about 11 until 4 - blah! i had a couple of hours until the two english classes; they're not mine, but their teacher kathi is away this week. with the first group, the theme was australian animals, especially the dangerous ones (of which there are plenty) - it was fun. the second class seemed to enjoy the quiz lesson as well. i was pretty knackered after all that teaching, and all these hours in stuffy rooms. today, just my usual class, and then an afternoon with gudrun, catching up, and a look around a few shops. i hate shopping at the moment, i need a few more summer clothes, but i really can't be bothered. saw a nice pair of shoes, but of course they did not have them in my size. sigh. actually, i saw a couple more nice pairs of shoes, but the prices are appalling. not too long ago, you used to get three pairs for that kind of money.

so, since i told arlene i had written an ethel poem (part of the neverending and increasingly successful, er, um, increasingly weird nigel series), she asked me suggested demanded that i let her see the new addition, so i thought i might as well post it here:

Ethel rolls cigarettes under the railroad bridge

one for each smile she has not dared to offer
that girl who seems too gritty for angel wings,
no matter what her six letters proclaim:

half of them angular, too sober for secrets,
three suggesting soft limbs. From Ethel's lips,
her name melts into thin white paper;

it will go up in smoke thirteen times, hide
in wobbly rings stretching towards Angela -
uncertified goddess, unspoiled territory.

A strange desire will nest in her black hair,
drive her from the quiet house sniffing out
another woman's scent, the dark moon silent.

Yes, Ethel whispers, she'll find me and
wake beneath tobacco-sweetened fingertips.
After our first kiss, she'll turn the other cheek.

so there.

speaking of arlene - i found a BIIIIG package in my mailbox containing two poetry zines (carousel, rattle) and a cute little notebook for yet more nigel-related adventures! so: HUGE THANKS to angelic angela arlene ellen ang! (and no i won't post photos of the zines' new home, new friends, or me kissing them!) actually - italian mail servies outdid themselves. i've never heard of anything posted in italy that actually arrives in another country within a week, let alone a couple of days!

cool here today, which is nice after all the stuffiness yesterday. public holiday tomorrow, which is NICE. sepp's going to his parents', i'll follow on friday, straight after work. unfortunately the forecast isn't too great, but what can you do. we already postponed it once, so we are going.

song of the day: the other end of the telescope, aimee mann & elvis costello. love it.