the universe in her face

she said she was a teller of stories
her name was elspeth, elspeth davie
it was so strange to meet her
in the dark tunnel beneath the liffey

cold we were, the both of us
coatless and unwashed
a hot shower would be delicious
she said, and i agreed

ripe we were, the both of us
a smell of ages clinging
no restroom for miles
and our luggage still missing

alas like garlic eaters
we did smell good together
elspeth radiant faced
electric eyes and smile

let’s sit, she said
began to tell her tale ─
we set sail upon her words
spotless in our new clothes

we can travel anywhere
she winks, but let’s rest here
in amongst these words
a moment can take a while

Jim Ferguson is a poet and prose writer based in Glasgow. Jim has been writing and publishing since 1986 and is presently a Creative Writing Tutor at Glasgow Kelvin College in Glasgow’s East End.
www.jimfergusonpoet.co.uk