Tuesday 23 November 2010

Time it was and what a time it was, it was...*

The walls of my room are covered with photographs.

Two collages of the Australian landscape; a 19 year old me clutching beers and some fellow backpackers I never saw again. Two identical black frames hold clouds across the French Alps and a night view of the Thames from London Bridge. A big map of Europe shows snippets of an inter-rail trip, none showing the boy I went with.

Opposite that, my horse, touching noses with another over the fence, ears forward; the moment before the squeal. A professional photo of me, the Shark and the Jellyfish, laughing with each other on a pure white background. Enclosed in a metallic square; a group shot of me and my uni housemates; all seven of us together on a night out, arms round necks, some crouching to get into the shot. On a shelf, the ladies ski team on the lawn at uni, dated my final year. Back to the wall, and the most deceptive of the lot. Pouts and arms a plenty with my five old school friends; only one of whom I'd ever want to get that close to again.

By my bed, another snowy Alpine backdrop. Myself and twenty others in an Austrian apres ski bar; some I know better now than then, two ex boyfriends I don't miss, and several people, long gone from my social life, that I do.

White sand and turquoise sea framed in pink to my left, and tucked above it, a spontaneous, smiley self portrait of the Boyfriend and I on the steps of the Sydney Opera House this year. Me and my fourth year housemate on the eve of our last university ball, clad in posh dresses; a make-shift washing line hanging in the background.

I look at all these photos, all these little snapshots of people who I like, love, once loved, even severely dislike. Some I feel ambivalent towards, others I'd do anything for, those who I miss and still wonder about. The ones I regard as best friends, the others who once were, before life, distance or growing up got in the way.

Here they all are, but equally, sometimes I can't help but wonder: where did they all go?

* Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you."


Probably one of their shortest songs, but a favourite of mine nonetheless.

6 comments:

Ellie said...

Is the panda dancing or shooting wild west style?

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

Shooting, I think. Can't be totally sure though. You're best off asking Banksy.

jman said...

Do I detect a Simon and Garfunkel fan? I'd have thought you'd be quoting "In My Life".

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

I love a bit of Simon and Garfunkel.

Anonymous said...

And how many of those frames will be making it onto the walls of the new place??

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

Good question. I think I'll make new ones :)

 

Blog Template by YummyLolly.com - RSS icons by ComingUpForAir