Walking past The Boot tonight
a warm but sunless dusk
The door was open wide
drinkers shuffling and spilling out

I think of that favourite friend
who brought me here five years ago
We played some pool, supped our beer
as he talked of his dilemma

His partner wanted children
but regrettably, he did not
she gave him ultimatums
and he wasn’t sure what to do

When the world stopped for disease
he vanished into the air
I know he moved away somewhere
but no reply to my letters came

So sad to lose a treasured friend
with no explanation or disagreement
And yet he’s gone as if he were dead
Even his ghost will pay me no greeting

Walking past The Boot tonight
in the sweaty King’s Cross air
I hope he’s busy raising babies now
with that woman who was his love

Sometimes, I know, we need to get away
we must disappear into that sunless dusk
Maybe we’ll meet again one day
and his child will be named after me…
 

[2023]