Near is very far
space, time,
continuum,

still

there’s a vastness that appals
chemotherapy,
white walls

scurrying through
the corridors
of the Christie this monday morning
early
meeting Emile, yes, named after Jean Jacques’ eponymous hero,

married at the weekend, it has spread,
he fears he’ll soon be dead

his caribbean lilt
still
echoes in my head.

we smile and laugh and joke with the nurses
as they try searching for a vein
in vain.

what else can you do
blue’s still
the colour of blue?