toritto's Blog

ehh....what town in Italy is your family from?

toritto

toritto
Location
tampa bay metro, Florida,
Birthday
September 10
Bio
I was born in year 4 of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius Claudius and raised on 66th Street and 13th Ave. in Brooklyn. And Coney Island, Traveled the world. Married my high school sweetheart and stayed together 40 years. Now a retired old widower crank living in Florida with my cat. Author of "Initial Verses" - a collection of poems on love, loss, poverty and war" and "Toritto's Blog - a Memoir of a life in posts."

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APRIL 15, 2012 8:56AM

11:11

Rate: 16 Flag

Image Detail 

She visits at 11:11

sometimes a.m. sometimes p 

A sudden haunting urges me

to look at a clock which must be digital.

 

Dropping by for just a moment

only at 11:11.

The time is our own private secret

I look around and know she’s here

 

I’m talking in an empty room

aware that we two are together

so long as shine the four red ones

'til one red one turns to red two.

 

Comes midnight I will lay in stillness

knowing that I’m quite alone

no urge to look now at a clock

at twelve  it makes no difference.

 

An excerpt from "Initial Verses - A collection of Poems on Love, Loss, Poverty and War".

http://www.amazon.com/Initial-Verses-Collection-Poems-Poverty/dp/1475082681/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334331792&sr=1-1

Also available on Kindle

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That is beautiful, toritto, a blessing in time.
clay ball
April 15, 2012 09:07 AM
This gives me shivers. 11:11 is when I always look at the clock. ~r
Joan H.
April 15, 2012 09:11 AM
I am sorry for your loss,Toritto.
May 11:11 be the ultimate fulfilment.
~R~
Heidi Banerjee
April 15, 2012 09:26 AM
This is indeed beautiful. It lovingly combines what I have always called the magic hours : 11:11, 12:34, 22:22 and 23:45. But I have always spent these minutes in solitude.
alfred booth
April 15, 2012 09:27 AM
J'comprend. Beautifully written.

I started looking at the time on my iPhone and iPad at 11:11 a couple of years ago, and doing screenshots, which I thought was weird. After my husband died (in room #1111 of the hospital), several people in grief support group told me they'd done the same thing. I'm not sure what it is about 11:11, but you've captured it well.
Kathy Riordan
April 15, 2012 09:36 AM
Beautiful and heartfelt; loss is a terrible thing it leaves a hole in one’s soul that never really fills in.
~R~
M. C. S.
April 15, 2012 09:47 AM
Is that photograph for real? It is of such extraordinary quality and she is so intensely beautiful and ethereal I wonder... excellent post.
jmac1949
April 15, 2012 10:26 AM
This is quite evocative. Thank you for sharing this poem.
ccdarling
April 15, 2012 10:34 AM
jmac1949 - This piece was originally published in Fictionique with the picture, chosen by the editor of the site. I have googled the picture and found it, referenced back to the original Fictionique piece. It is an actual photo which I would guess was taken for a make-up or beauty products campaign and was never used. I can find no info on who took it or copyright information. If it's use is restricted I will gladly take it down - but it is so perfect.

And no - it is not my wife!

:-)
toritto
April 15, 2012 11:35 AM
I remember this and it is beautiful./r
Christine Geery
April 15, 2012 11:55 AM
Re: the picture. It was a protected photo. I've taken it down.

My apologies.
toritto
April 15, 2012 12:55 PM
[r] very moving. "precious" moments for sure. how wonderful to have a ritual for connection twice a day. a grounding for the heart and spirit, to put life into its real priorities and context, the context of love. may we all learn a way to do that with loved ones and with life. best, libby
libbyliberalnyc
April 15, 2012 01:25 PM
The elevens... damn you, they follow me like a curse. If I walk into the kitchen the digital clock on the stove is always 11- pick up my cell after long periods of not touching it... eleven. Could be 3:11 in the morning when I walk past to the pisser... any 11.
Been this way for months; any more I just laugh-- so when I saw your blog title and the pic of the clock I just shook my head. WTF?
tr ig
April 15, 2012 02:12 PM
For some reason, I have a resonance with 11:11, too.
old new lefty
April 15, 2012 02:44 PM
beautiful- I will buy your book but probably after I finish rereading Lord Chesterfield's letters- don't mix my pleasures (and in case you might sign a copy)
kenneth houck
April 15, 2012 08:50 PM
Kenneth - if I sign a copy of my book it will be the first!

:-)

Thanks for reading.
toritto
April 15, 2012 09:00 PM
I have a copy of your book, as you know, Toritto. 11:11 has always been a magical time for me. Anytime I see it, I put up a prayer of good "luck" for my 3 girls!! Love this poem.
trilogy
April 16, 2012 12:49 AM