The Visitor

Dark figure, peripheral,
just by my shoulder.
For me? Is it time
to set my affairs in order?

Yet I am surprised
by my own calm.
Eventually I even forget him
and fall asleep.

In the morning, my Beloved
waking beside me, says:
‘What a terrible night!
I thought I was dying.’

Realities

I am a blonde
in a little black dress,
a floaty and flirty little black dress.

I am driving a bright red car.
On the passenger seat beside me
a small puma sits.

I don’t mention
that the car and I
are both aged, and looking it.

Nor that the grey-and-tawny cat
is actually a domestic
travelling in her carry-case to the vet.

We are remembering Peru
long, long ago. They bowed to us:
warrior princess and her fierce pet.