I go on
happiness of lilies and
irises tucking into every inch
and hole and scrape
taking photos
alcoves overflowing with
white and blue delphiniums
columbines campanulas
in the afternoon heat
roses tangling around the sundial
wreathing trunks and hanging from branches
garlands falling in cascades over walls
turning
he [ ]
steps
retracing
the path
looking [ ]
where where where is he
he [ ]
call him
it rings
shake n’ vac … it’s all you have …
put the freshness back … is that?
wrong redial
number rings
it is just a courtesy call to remind
your <type> policy is due
to expire in <number> day’s time
wrong call
wrong again
number rings
[ ] yes
he’s here
yes [ ]
he died
in my arms
this morning
_________________
A Chinese-Malaysian living in London, L Kiew earns her living as an accountant. She was shortlisted for 2017 Primers mentoring and publication scheme. Her debut pamphlet The Unquiet came out with Offord Road Books in February 2019. She is currently a participant in the London Library Emerging Writers Programme.