You said you preferred Orwell’s essays.
The way they lulled you into a sense
of the plain, transcending any given ideology
often whilst condemning or praising it.

I said - I preferred his moustache.

You said your first memory was of screaming:
Yowling, uttering your brutal stages of advance
dazed from the drop, finding your voice, or not;
Images flocking like birds of Assisi…

I said - The Rockford Files

You said what moved you was a child’s pale face.
A garden at night after a party, a wine glass
blood-red with cigarette debris, and a guy
no-one knows stroking a dog.

I said – I was that guy.

I don't recall seeing pictures of Orwell sporting a "moustache," although I imagine he might have had one from time to time. And his essays hardly transcended "any given ideology," seeing how he was such a huge proponent of democratic socialism. That notwithstanding, I think the closing stanza is very well written.

Joe

Nicely done, Larkin.

Les

I love this one. Great last line...good stuff.

I olways enjoy theway you change directions in a piece.

Your style reminds me of an old friend. I loved his work, and I enjoyed this as well.

I appreciate the ebb and flow, the way it's shaped and tapered down to the end, the detailed imagery and the references to cultural icons.

Thanks for sharing,
Lady

Very good Kris. Much enjoyed.