If I Had Three Lives by Sarah Russell

If I Had Three Lives

After “Melbourne” by the Whitlams

If I had three lives, I’d marry you in two.
The other? Perhaps that life over there
at Starbucks, sitting alone, writing – a memoir,
maybe a novel or this poem. No kids, probably,
a small apartment with a view of the river,
and books – lots of books, and time to read.
Friends to laugh with, and a man sometimes,
for a weekend, to remember what skin feels like
when it’s alive. I’d be thinner in that life, vegan,
practice yoga. I’d go to art films, farmers markets,
drink martinis in swingy skirts and big jewelry.
I’d vacation on the Maine coast and wear a flannel shirt
weekend guy left behind, loving the smell of sweat
and aftershave more than I did him. I’d walk the beach
at sunrise, find perfect shell spirals and study pockmarks
water makes in sand. And I’d wonder sometimes
if I’d ever find you.

by Sarah Russell, first published in Silver Birch Press

Editor’s Note: Sometimes songs inspire poems, and sometimes poems inspire songs. This poem demonstrates the intertwined life of songs and poems—perhaps they all come from the same place of silence?

Comments

9 responses to “If I Had Three Lives by Sarah Russell”

  1. Ryan Stone Avatar

    Wow! What a beautiful poem. A wonderful read.

    1. www.bethanyareid.com Avatar

      I love this poem and have used it as a prompt. Thank you for writing it!

  2. […] Klocek-Lim just published my poem “If I had 3 Lives” on her blog Autumn Sky Poetry Daily.  Thanks, […]

  3. […] First published in Silver Birch Republished in Autumn Sky Poetry Daily […]

  4. sarahrussellpoetry Avatar

    Thanks, Ryan.

  5. cote8050 Avatar

    This is really a great piece of work… did this poet read my mind? wonderful, thank you for sharing your talent. Michelle

    1. sarahrussellpoetry Avatar

      Thank you. I think we all have dreams of lives not lived.

  6. awritersalchemy Avatar

    Reblogged this on A Writer's Alchemy and commented:
    I discovered Autumn Sky as a result of my recent flurry of send-outs — and now I’m getting a poem a day from them. This one strikes me as a great writing assignment. Pick up your pen!

    1. sarahrussellpoetry Avatar

      Thank you so much! I didn’t go back in to see the comments until now. I am honored.

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