Monday 17 September 2012


Camelford man

watching him
as he made his way
up the hill
slowly wandering
from side to side
of the pavement

eating, devouring,
a pasty*
relishing, enjoying
this Cornish delight
consuming, devouring
as he progressed

his other hand carrying
a six pack of lager
his afternoon organised
great time beckoned
football with friends
or loneliness and TV the reality?

he passed on by
up Camelford hill
totally unaware
the thoughts that passed
through me about him
young Camelford man


* Cornish pasty(Hogan pasti): with thanks 



29 comments:

Ola said...

scary that when we are older we usually face loneliness:(


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Cuby said...

Ola: His age wasn't specified, it is now, take another look please.

Out on the prairie said...

Fun to watch those around us. i had one place I often sat on my porch to watch the daily progression of a variety of people.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I do that too - find myself thinking about some person I've passed on the street long after I've passed them.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Such a moving image. I love these imaginings. You have me wondering what he did after and wanting to finish the story somehow.

CherryPie said...

It sounds like he was enjoying himself with his pasty and the lager still to look forward to.

Anonymous said...

We have pasties here in Michigan's UP, too, because so many Finns and Swedes and others migrated here and brought those Cornish pies. When we used to eat meat, we ate them a lot. You certainly painted a vivid picture with this poem and I smelled potatoes and carrots, too.

Elephant's Child said...

He certainly wasn't sharing the pasty, so my sad mind thinks he probably won't be sharing the lager. I hope he enjoys himself anyway.

PS: As a confirmed people watcher I am quite pleased that others do not know the surmises I have made about them...

Cuby said...

Out on the prairie:I was stuck in a traffic queue and had time to watch as he progressed up the hill.

Cuby said...

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said: I have thought about this little episode for over a week before committing words to paper.

Cuby said...

Mitchell: Maybe he does the very same thing every Sat.

Cuby said...

CherryPie: I do hope so.

Cuby said...

upwoods: It is possible to find veggie pasties of all kinds so I am sure there would be something for you. I choose sweetcorn, broccoli with a taste of blue cheese in wholemeal pastry.. I don't eat meat either.

Cuby said...

The Elephant's Child;so do I.

Chris Benjamin said...

Great image.

In Halifax there's a maker and seller of pasties at the farmers' market. Mm, now I'm stoked for Saturday.

The Owl Wood said...

Always fascinates me to watch other people and know that their world centres around them in just the same way that I view my world from within me. Metaphysics and headaches!

Cuby said...

Chris Benjamin: At our farmer's market here in Truro there are pasty sellers but a very popular seller is Sophie who makes crepes to tempt all passers by, now that is exotic!

Cuby said...

The Owl wood: This was an elongated moment while waiting at roadworks, watching and the idea began to form.

holdingmoments said...

Pasty and pint; sounds good to me.
:-)

Viola said...

Your words are amazing! I do not know where you take them from.. you are gifted as a poet :)

Viola said...

or rather
- you are
a poet! :)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Lovely. I can see him!

Cuby said...

holdingmoments: You've got the idea this is the whole Cornish experience! A locally brewed pint if possible.

Cuby said...

Viola: Thank you for your two comments, I am particularly flattered by the second one. :)

Cuby said...

Welshcakes: There is no need for a photo I think the words say it all. Thanks for your comment.

Doris said...

I see him as a contented young man making his way somewhere to enjoy the afternoon. I'll bet he has more pasties in his pockets!

Cuby said...

Doris:I do hope so and when I pass through that way again I will watch out for him. A pasty in his pocket ensures a greasy mess!

Simone de Klerk said...

I become speechless.

When my sister comes to visit from Cornwall, she always brings pasties with her. I LOVE them!!! And such a special story behind them.

Cuby said...

Simone de Klerk: I agree they are yummy!