Still left unsaid while farewell fogged
the kitchen, the early kettle sang morning tea,
the rear view of home slipped the mirror,
the M50 swept us north to the airport exit,
we parked ghost words in Short Stay, Level C,
while a voice garbled flights, gates, delays
we stirred goodbye clockwise, round
and round into bitter coffees, wasted minutes
counting coins for a Times we left behind,
boiled sweets, a magazine. Time ran down
while we said more nothing in the clattery café,
strained for last call, scanned Departures screens,
traced damp doodles on the Melamine. Silent,
you serpentined between ropes towards Security,
the queue surged, your suitcase bucked on its leash,
the X-ray bleeped, you spread your arms,
showed the innocent soles of your emigrant feet,
reclaimed watch, loose change, cell phone.
Out of range of my wordless safe home,
crowds disappeared you as if you were never here.