you don’t like to talk about it, but
you know people who’ve done it
you feel to speak of it might
tempt fate, edging it closer
you don’t write instructions
you’ve no special folder
your wishes are the same as everyone’s
you seek to be exempted
sprinkle some Growmore around the roses
put an aspirin in the tulips’ water
turn the clock’s face to the wall
step out into sunshine
impossible to imagine, all your plum trees
flowering and fruiting without you
© Sue Norton
Sue Norton lives and writes in York.
