to an absent loved one in a time of plague

to an absent loved one in a time of plague

we will sit in my garden again

gazing into the silted pond

spotting crested newts and water boatmen

maybe a little home-made wine,

Cyprus olives, halloumi frittatas,

a few plum tomatoes, red peppers

you will roll a cigarette

or build a joint

I’ll watch you smoking

and see in the smoke-curls

the faces of friends

newly passed

who sat noon to night -

our heated debates

fuelled by bottles of red

coming to blows

over politics and god 

but parting as friends

they will approve of you

you are half-crazy

like them, like me

we hate the same people

laugh the same laughs

blot out 'the certainty'

that one may leave

perhaps you first

or maybe me

forever

but never

the memories.