trace an arc through the suburbs a tram here a bus there a tram down and around then I reach the station and watch time go in reverse it’s ten minutes away time passes ten minutes passes suddenly it’s ten minutes away again but this time it’s a limited express the platform fills with hopefuls just wanting to head south it’s a relief to finally hop off and rely on my feet, instead. »
i try to step forward and into the light the hand on my shoulder suggests otherwise it wants to keep telling me about things i’ve heard a million times before the broken record drones on i just want to be anywhere but here. famous last words perhaps? »
time passes slowly now you’ve been wrenched away the house feels bigger i sit quietly wondering how to best fill these idle days until you return. »
a week not going exactly as planned even when we go to get her emergency visa some guy comes along and jumps the queue loudly claiming he’s supposed to be in front of a group of us when i call him out on it he tries to weasel out of it bleating “i’m supposed to be here! i’d never jump the queue! i have principles!” but i let it go »
the previous wedding we’d been to my friend didn’t even notice I’d turned up despite me standing right behind her in a group photo when i’d tried to say hello i was ignored as another friend edged me aside to give her congratulations (well i thought at least i’d tried). at this one the bride whispered to us “i wish we did what you guys did” somewhere in between »