sunset park, oxford road

sunset park, oxford road

i used to sit in this park,

for the downing of the sun,

quelling the thirst

as it drew low,

tucking in the homeless

like paper-packed fish.

years having fled,

the stone feels flinty

in exactly the same way,

the changing grass

wears new anaemia,

the magpies chatter,

in a tongue i have unlearned,

the people, huddle in

to one another,

as tight as they ever did.

i sit alone.

it is colder than before.

the downing of the sun,

feels far more

permanent now.