PDF

Ten years later


by Claire King


Are you asleep? He says.

Wake up.

 

In the morning…

 

You forget me, he says.

Long city nights and fine merlot,

a pillion along the embankment.

 

I do not forget you,

The 3am scent of salt on your skin,

your tentative advances when I ached to drag you into me.

 

You forget me,

A phone waiting to ring.

Nothing certain; a crossroads, a chance.

 

I do not forget you,

At my side,

Quaking promises before our friends.

 

You forget me,

The man before the father,

the bare feet and the muscles.

 

I do not forget you,

You are all this and more,

And will still be, once I have slept.

Endcap