Ian Freud
Gone
“I guess you’d best come in,” she says with a sad shrug
“Hang your coat up there - don’t worry about the rug.”
Steam starts to crawl up the window
Making the tea for two
And a plate of biscuits too
Because that’s what people do

She takes him from the mantlepiece and wipes him with her sleeve
Looks down into his eyes and her shoulders start to heave
Through the sobs and the hiccups
Fighting down the tears
She tells him of her fears
They've never seemed so near