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Long Distance II -- Tony Harrison

(Poem #185)Long Distance II
 Though my mother was already two years dead
 Dad kept her slippers warming by the gas,
 put hot water bottles her side of the bed
 and still went to renew her transport pass.

 You couldn't just drop in. You had to phone.
 He'd put you off an hour to give him time
 to clear away her things and look alone
 as though his still raw love were such a crime.

 He couldn't risk my blight of disbelief
 though sure that very soon he'd hear her key
 scrape in the rusted lock and end his grief.
 He knew she'd just popped out to get the tea.

 I believe life ends with death, and that is all.
 You haven't both gone shopping; just the same,
 in my new black leather phone book there's your name
 and the disconnected number I still call.
-- Tony Harrison

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