a trick of light

we had watched him for years
each day at the same time
walking up and then back
along Telegraph Road

at first it had been him
his wife and a dog
later just him and his dog
and later still just him

everyday the same
as the subtle changes
forgotten and as it is
becomes as it always was

and as it always was
remains like a shard
lodged as the shadow
of a man

he still walks telegraph road
caught in the corner of an eye
like a trick of light
but otherwise invisible

Dead

she kept him there
for longer than was proper
right or decent
in fact like the marriage
he had been dead
for twelve years
before he realised it

long before that
his friends knew
they saw the skin falling away
smelt the decay
until all that was left
was dust and a few bones
still they all
liked his company
he was a good listener