EST
Does the Distance draw us closer?
Now I watch your thoughts
flick light across the screen and
stretch my sleep
where once you lay beside me
for three hot nights.
Then summer and your flight
leaving; bareblank Departures
and I lost you in the crowd.
You were so Real
walking the Great Wall
all lean chest and private eyes.
Beihai Park and stone steps,
Stone Boat and alcohol -
Our most private moment
on the last warm night,
as you helped me repaint my city.
Now Home.
Continental Drift pulls us apart and
we fill an Autumn with falling type
to try to find the words
on endless sleepless nights,
make up time difference by pretending
we never need to sleep.
Words to wrap an arm around me
undress me
feel our presence in the Same Room
in open pretence.
I am net-lagged.
Leaned against the curve of a virtual globe
Googling the price of making you Real again
as the darklong nights fold over
my town and yours-
the ‘x’ in our diaries close enough
to speak of
when you’re here…
and
see you soon.
But
I have already reduced you to words
and I don’t know
if I can ever bring you back.
Sonya Hallett