1959
so long ago
started with him
banging his head
on the school wall
so long after
caught in the usual jam
to the same destination
left
then left again
at the junction
same cars same faces
same familiar places
so long ago
we boarded the coach
for Leamington
to London Zoo
and the waxworks
so long after
I remember with a smile
the confusion
outside the zoo
with the headmaster
trying to get us
all through
the turnstiles in
some sort of order
of how we deliberately
upset that tray
of jumping beans
laughing at the man
on his hands and knees
the sound of his voice
pierces my concentration
and I jump the lights
to the end
of platform one
quiet except for the chatter
and laughter
of school children
clutching brown paper bags
his deep song moves
me along
this metal caravan
of so long after
that morning
on the quiet platform
seeing his huge figure
move toward me
a long ago happiness
of this man
the unknown answer
to all the unasked questions
his footsteps
trod that moment
his hands
were my future
how very long ago
as I park the car
in the usual place
to his song
of other’s words
of other peoples and places
his voice
that was the breadth
of his hands
and endless face
and then like now
he was gone
so long
ago…