How Long We’ll Stay Together

In four days’ time you’ll be returning here,
Claiming the prodigal’s right to a feast,
A groaning board, six courses laid, at least,
To celebrate the ending of this year
Of grief and exile, absences and fear,
The relegation of the clever beast
To his own home, away off in the east
Somewhere beyond our worries. Have a beer.

We’ll all be drinking, spooning out the jam,
Pretending we remember what you know
We don’t remember, putting on a show
For all the neighbours who don’t give a damn.
No more do I. You don’t know who I am.
And then, in five days’ time, I’ll have to go.