Behind soft closed eyes
Resigned
Lights out
Play the reel again
Click switch
Tick of film
Coursing through
Ferris wheel of time
Bulb warms soft
Against the greyness
Dust smokes away

Again
In the park
Walking along chatting 
With a friend
Observing absences
Post pandemic life
Look up
She materialises -
Wishes surprise
Creases in face 
melt away
Helium smiles 
lift the sky

Her eyes dart
Concerned for friend
I say nothing
Pretend 
But quip on the cans
In their hand
Flashback to teen girl
Sitting on the Datto
With treasured women
The pictures she used to send melt my heart over again

Jealous I am
She laughs and introduces 
The dog but not friend
An afterthought
Living happily ever after
Cranial incantations
I do not write
But summons memories 
To illuminate life, again