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Poetry Library Southbank Centre - The Poetry Library housing the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre

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Kayrene L. Forbes

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Once Upon A Time

I sat on your knee as you talked to me
the pillow lay rumpled as your blanket was gently wrapped around
my shoulders
this our first meeting
it was not to be our last

the musty smelling room
filled with your treasures
cooking smells filled the house
the old stove in the kitchen leaning against the door for balance
the food old and stale

what do you remember of your time in a foreign land
a darkness descended upon us as we slept
when I travel in the morning I will see you next week
and when I see you I will be smiling you will see

I remember your woollen sweaters leaked the smell of your corruption
I just ignored it and strangled the voice of wisdom and failed to see
that you wanted to use what I was in your eyes
we moved from room to room

In teenage movement and silly summer madness
the ages of life seemed to have left you with nothing
It left me frustrated and angry with you
you left for a summer in your land

don’t mind me I am here
thinking of you
and missing what you were able to provide for me
you said to go find someone else

I did not
You could not
so we were back standing
on a hot summers day in once upon a time.

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