There is in the longing
by Yusuf Martin
There is in the longing
Something profound
Full and compelling
Urging
Inciting
Willing the wanting
Obliging the having
And
In the denying
Satisfies
Fulfils.
The observer
Left to yearn
Gazes
Appreciates
Learns cognition
Is gratified
Warmed
Within that glow
Of
non-possession.
The desired
Pulls back
From objectification
Freed
Permanently other
Untainted
Glowing
Unique
But
Touched
By adoration.
© 2009 Yusuf Martin
Listen to this poem:
Old Hippy, former bookbinder repairer and restorer, dustman, road sweeper, factory worker, mental hospital porter, graphic designer, digital artist, social worker, guest curator at one of London’s most prestigious museums, now exclusively writes short stories and essays from his country home overlooking lakes in the South East Asian countryside.
Yusuf Martin was born in London but lived mostly in East Anglian, England, briefly in India and has finally retired and settled in rural Malaysia, amidst the water buffalo and civets.
He has written several short stories published in collections in Malaysia including Silverfish New Writing 5 (2006); Silverfish New Writing 7 (2008); Urban Odysseys, due shortly from MPH; and an essay for New Malaysian Essays 2, due next year by Mata Hari.
Yusuf is currently putting the finishing touches to a book of short stories about kampung life in Malaysia (Kampung Tales) , writing more fantasy stories about a bomoh (shaman) called Melvyn, magic and ghosts (Melvyn the Bomoh) and a novel based upon his social work experiences (The Unsocial Worker).
Yusuf's sites:
http://mondaymelvyn.blogspot.com/
http://fatmankampung.blogspot.com/
http://correspondences-martin.blogspot.com/
Listen to this poem:
Old Hippy, former bookbinder repairer and restorer, dustman, road sweeper, factory worker, mental hospital porter, graphic designer, digital artist, social worker, guest curator at one of London’s most prestigious museums, now exclusively writes short stories and essays from his country home overlooking lakes in the South East Asian countryside.Yusuf Martin was born in London but lived mostly in East Anglian, England, briefly in India and has finally retired and settled in rural Malaysia, amidst the water buffalo and civets.
He has written several short stories published in collections in Malaysia including Silverfish New Writing 5 (2006); Silverfish New Writing 7 (2008); Urban Odysseys, due shortly from MPH; and an essay for New Malaysian Essays 2, due next year by Mata Hari.
Yusuf is currently putting the finishing touches to a book of short stories about kampung life in Malaysia (Kampung Tales) , writing more fantasy stories about a bomoh (shaman) called Melvyn, magic and ghosts (Melvyn the Bomoh) and a novel based upon his social work experiences (The Unsocial Worker).
Yusuf's sites:
http://mondaymelvyn.blogspot.com/
http://fatmankampung.blogspot.com/
http://correspondences-martin.blogspot.com/
I should like to thank Chuah Guat Eng for editing this poem for me, until it made some sort of sense.
ReplyDeleteAlso note for Leon - Urban Odysseys is now out and July 4th New Malaysian Essays 2, with an essay by me is also out.
I have a regular column at the rear of the Ex Pat magazine, probably the best place for it too...
Don't pay attention to Yusuf. The sense was always there. I just pruned a word here and a word there. That's all. Guat.
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