Dad's files
 

the Thames burst
at your favourite point
an ugly mass of chocolate water
where children used to play
manila, blue, yellow, pink
a long line of Dad's files floating past the Red Lion
invoices of a life
for all to see

the flat, relentless gaze of your desk
and the blemish on the envelope
unseen until now
like her

a thumb pressed with force?

standing on tip-toe
the nail breaks and the smooth surface
punctured
for as long as you both shall live

softly whispering in my ear
the tip of your tongue
forming the sounds of words
but the flood comes
and comes
and comes
traps you                                  in an air pocket
to the high ceiling
head at a cruel angle
veins swelling
cheeks puffing
legs thrashing


unsigned signatures and a single wound to the temple
I signed and confirmed it was you

I wade out toward the long line of Dad's files floating past
an ugly mass of chocolate water
where children used to play
manila, blue, yellow, pink

Nick Dockerty

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