SNAPSHOT
The youngest points at ‘The Essential Neruda’
leant against a one Euro bottle of Holy Water
and some other more essential essentials. She thinks it’s your cousin
with his forearm across the top of his head, and
is that a magpie? I’ve never looked that close
but it’s true there’s a resemblance.
I explain. All she asks is – what country? is he dead?
With her it’s always nothing but death.
The upshot is we’re going to Chile.
It’s been decided – so I can visit his grave
and she can stay in a hotel. She’s always wanted to.
They have swimming pools and water slides.
Later, you remember Kefalonia. That night
we took a picture of the taxi-driver.
A perfect double for your cousin you thought.
It might still be loose in the back of an album.
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