scrabble I explain the rules again
in no particular order no need for logic
I lay a blank tile tell her it’s a D five minutes
noises in the corridor she asks about tea
I say that nice young man from the kitchen
will be here soon let’s listen out
she asks is it my go asks about the blank
I tell her it’s a D her face a perfect dot-dot-dot
you used to type sixty words a minute, do you remember?
she laughs as if I’ve said something hilarious as if
it were only yesterday she was there in the typing pool
and I was there too, walking home with her
meeting friends, making plans for the pictures as if
her Mum and Dad and Aunt Kit and Bill and baby Maya
and everyone were all here now waiting for their tea
she asks about the blank I tell her