When they go
they will still text you
give an unexpected call
keeping it brief, before a meeting
but the phone is dead and
it is the first time I have used that word.
You will still shout up the stairs
ring the bell
there is no-one there
key turning slowly
realising
you are alone and
filling days
with waiting
when they go.
Tom Kelly is a north-east of England poet. He has had eleven books of poetry, short stories and a play published in as many years. His new poetry collection THIS SMALL PATCH has recently been re-printed by Red Squirrel Press.