What’s left when you have gone?

• The smell of garlic on the knife
• a smear of sauce
• a chopping board
• two plates
• a purple bruise
• some words you said
• an empty parking place
• cigarette ends bottles till receipts
• papers you were reading while I dozed
• splashes of candle wax
• a t-shirt cast aside
• a taste a touch
• a memory in my skin

What did the day bequeath?

• Sun patterning leaves
• the open-top car the breeze
• face stung by speed
• shadows in clefts of rock
• pools of light
• Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss
• running in evening heat
• cold wine fresh fish
• and songs and kisses

Netted inside my mind like dreams

• Plates and glasses put away
• bottles binned
• t-shirt cleaned
• a yellowed bruise
• the fading scent of you –
• what’s left when you have gone?

Hopes to help me live the days.