It is absurd not knowing
where to go.
You wear the streets like an overcoat.
Certain houses are friends, certain houses
Can no longer be visited.
Old love-affairs lurk in doorways, behind windows
Women grow older. Neglection blossoms.
You have turned down numerous invitations,
Left the telephones unanswered, said ‘No’
To the few that needed you.
Stranded on an island of your own invention
You have thrown out messages, longings.
How useless it is knowing that where you want to go
Is nowhere concrete.
The trains will not take you there,
The red buses glide past without stopping,
No taxis are available.