Judith Evans

And then he jumped

In the moments before he jumped
A calmness settled over him the likes of which he had never known
...

Did I tell you that my Daddy died?
They said 6 months...
We didn't think he knew
He thought we didn't, because we didn't say
...

I don't wish to impose
But can I join your family?
You see mine fell apart when my father died
I don't think anyone has noticed
...

I bought you an acer for your birthday
Beautiful claret coloured leaves
But I will keep it in my garden
And hope you will come to visit
...

Like a ball of twine rolling further away
Each year, further and further
Smaller and smaller 'til you could barely be seen
Your presence barely acknowledged
...

So tell me, did you come for her?
I'm trying to figure it out
Was ten years, ten too many apart?
Could you have waited?
...

You came to me in my dream
And held me so tightly
As I gasped with grief
Unable to breath out
...

Tell me something, do you find me a bore?
Do you look at me and wonder what you saw?
I listen sometimes and bore myself
What was it that made you take me down off the shelf?
...