150 words as I wait for a tree to grow back (I, II, III), digital video, 3 min., 28 sec., 2020
150 words as I wait for a tree to grow back - I, II, III
150 words as I wait for a tree to grow back
I
Man at the back has cut down his tree
and now we are in a terrible romance
where each morning our eyes catch across the fence
before quickly turning away to focus on our tasks.
Man at the back is not tall enough for me
and fortunately married to his clever musician wife
(well done, man) and probably would not want me
with three kids and an anger problem.
Man at the back may just be stupid enough however
to like the idea of me, who probably looks
quite dazzling and blurred from over there
as anger doesn’t travel well through windows and the kids are out of view.
Man at the back comes round to talk about the fence
that has blown over many times recently (since cutting down the tree)
and which he can’t fix, him not being handy.
Man is stupid and looks intently at me.
II
Woman at the back, one along, has cut down her tree
and now the infirm fence is even more fucked.
What is it with everyone undermining my fence
which was happily doing its job until recently?
Woman at the back tells me we should all get together
and work out a plan to sort out the fence
but I can’t help feeling this is something else
coming from people who destroy perfectly good trees.
Woman at the back talks too much
and it is hard to end the conversation about my fence.
I would rather have a fence than have a talk
and I’m grieving the fence that meant I didn’t have to.
Woman at the back has been speaking to man at the back
and his wife and they are all in agreement.
I find the number for Richard, who maintains boundaries
and though it is Saturday, I call him.
III
Woman at the back needs to pull down her blind
and seriously rethink where she sits getting dressed
as each morning I see her from afar
with hair dryer blasting sat totally fucking clueless in her bra.
Woman at the back is too tall and too fierce for me
and fortunately, married, to that rock climber chap
(dickhead) and probably would not want me
with short legs and making smalltalk anxiety.
Woman at the back might just be interested enough however
to like the idea of me who probably looks
quite forceful and decisive from over there
since self-doubt doesn’t travel well through windows and my wife is out of view.
Woman at the back suggests I try and fix the fence
that has blown over many times recently (since storms blew down the tree)
and which her man can’t fix; so I go round to see –
Woman is not interested and stares angrily at me.