PG Certificate
Denholm is leaning Joan’s DVD of The Trial (the Welles adaptation) against his window, overlooking the gravel driveway. On the cover, a collage: Jeanne Moreau looks back nervily (off-guard at the sight of Anthony Perkins’s steeled eyes, sculpted lips). Her hands perch on her waist like starlings. Behind them both, a second Perkins (shrunken), reaching up (far above his head), to turn the handle of an oversized door. He is fixed forever on the tips of his toes, forever stretching (to open the door), what lies behind the door forever destined to be unknown, and the door forever off-kilter, forever about to fall. Denholm hasn’t yet watched the whole film (no stomach for black and white pictures), but as he balances the DVD on the sill, he feels this decision to restructure his living space is a crucial moment in his life. He feels it inside his gut, his heart, his blood, his liver, his right hand, his left hand, his feet, his groin, an eyelash, his nose, in the sliver of popcorn caught between his teeth, and the hairs in his ears, which will need to be plucked tomorrow.
Michael Loveday’s debut pamphlet collection of poems, He Said/She Said, was published by HappenStance Press (2011). His short stories, poems and book reviews have been published in Ambit, Magma, The North, The Rialto, Stand and other UK magazines. Website: www.michaelloveday.co.uk.