Poems
Return I started to run, only the barrier left - those grumpy Leeds guards with fists that spring out to grab every ticket. Though I was ready, foreseeing the men at the gate, (but still unprepared for her smile as she leant on the wall) all the way north I was in and out of the loo, checking my hair, her texts in my lap and her name in my mouth, fizzing like kisses. The past tapping away: Are you on the right train? Wakefield slid by and the broken factory backs. I reeled myself into her arms, hand over hand. Hand over hand I reeled myself into her arms; Wakefield slid by and the broken factory backs, the past tapping away. 'R U on the right train?' - her texts in my lap and her name in my mouth. Fizzing like kisses all the way north, I was in and out of the loo, checking my hair, but still unprepared for her smile as she leant on the wall, though I was ready - foreseeing the men at the gate with fists that spring out to grab every ticket (those grumpy Leeds guards). Only the barrier left. I started to run. © River Wolton 2008
Return won first prize in the poetry section of the Chroma Writing Competition 2008 and was published in Chroma Queer Literary Journal.
Click here to read River's poem Departures 4.30 a.m. on the Magma Poetry website.
‘Departures 4.30 a.m. is a necessary 21st Century poem.’
- Moniza Alvi