ARRIVAL

This wasn’t on my wish list
but this is what I have:
A barren tree outside the window
a sliver of sea two blocks down the road
an occasional stream of sun
washing the windows

All day I hear police sirens
beer bottles falling on the road
the shattered glass pinning down
maple leaves on the uneven pavement
a wisp of smoke peeking out like a wizard’s
beard from the chimney next-door

This is your country; you learnt
its language some five thousand miles away
you could name counties and Constable paintings
chancellors and shadow chancellors
you grew up dreaming of ginger beer and scones
and a black-and-white dog that swallowed ice-creams

Now you lie under the earth, by a river
that dies a little every year.
I am here. Your photo is on my desk,
there’s ginger beer in the refrigerator
and everyday I look for a dog that will
answer to the name you’d chosen.