LIGHTS by INTERPOL. Poem by Michael Leach

 

Regional Victoria, Saturday 13 November 2021

 

well-stocked op shop—

she sifts thru clothes racks

to find

an alternative

while I scan CD racks

and spot

Interpol

 

          I know why I hold her

 

familiar crossroads—

we embrace and wave

goodbye

before going

diametrically opposing

ways

 

          I know why I hold her

 

the main road

out of town—

I lightly push

my pre-owned CD

& skip ahead

to track four

 

          I know why I hold her

 

stretch of highway

lit by blue & red lights—

I do a U-turn

at the sight of the upturned

car

up ahead of jammed traffic

& varied emergency

vehicles

 

          I know why I hold her

 

alternative route

into town—

I keep

my pre-owned CD

in

& skip back

to track four

 

          I know why I hold her

 

back home

late—

I pull

in,

see texts

& call her

 

          I know why I hold her                    dear

 

Stereo Story #644