Master Of The Universe Poem by Louise Tredoux

I’m sitting here with Rudi’s request to clean out the
cupboards - make space for kitchenware, get rid of
mechanical tools that he stored everywhere; I look at
his tools, spanners and saws and nails and screws
and pieces of wood and string - lovingly

I love the flat for containing Rudi in every place, I don’t
want to change anything, I want even more things to
speak of Rudi; I don’t care for kitchenware, a toaster,
a washing machine, and we’ve got enough - old
batteries, strange radio parts, speakers

Parts of an old lawn mower, bicycle things, oily rags –
this kitchen has atmosphere, it breathes Rudi all over,
I become flustered, he will look in on me, he promised,
I must throw away something, but what? I love it all
simply because it belongs to him

I’m worried, I don’t want to throw away anything that
ever felt Rudi’s touch, the door opens, Rudi’s back,
he’ll think me a slouch, I haven’t done anything, just
stared and caressed Rudi’s things, he walks in and
catches me amongst rags and strings

Disappointed he says, Louise, you haven’t done anything,
I burst into tears – I know, I love this place as it is, I can’t
throw away all your things, I love them because they
speak of you, he starts to laugh, looks at his tools
and all the mechanical junk, and laughs so much

In the end I join in; Do you mean, you like the junk and other
tool things just because they’re mine, he asks, incredulous,
Yes, I admit, this is a temple containing the essence of you; -
Oh Louise, you impractical thing, we have to live here like
civilized human beings, not build a shrine to junk

Look, there is nothing of yours in the kitchen – Yes, I agree with
shining eyes, isn’t wonderful, an Aladdin’s cave, there might be
a lamp with a genie somewhere – he looks at me – Oh, there
is a lamp, I rubbed it, and the genie came – I look around,
thrilled by his tale – Where?

I’m looking at her, she’s called Louise, and she brought so much
love, she’s the greatest magic that ever has been, I laugh, but
Rudi kisses my mouth - Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself, for now you
had better pretend the god Siva is come to claim his prize –
tomorrow we shall immolate his stuff on a pyre

But today, today he will consume you alive! Ooooo, wonderful
day, this genie will now make him the Lord and Master of the
Universe!