Martha Landman

I wasn’t a romantic
the way you wanted me to be

I enjoyed the desert nights, cold stars
our backward race away from an elephant herd
wild beasts on the Africa plains
every fight a red pin on a travel map
in Sri Lanka we watched cricket and blockbusters all night

The cold had suddenly crept in from the south
it was a day to stay inside and clean the shelves
- memories in every corner
how you loved those girls in front of my eyes
whispered sweetness in their ears

Dreaming of Greek goddesses and writhing snakes
I woke up one day to a stranger in my bed
his body bleak and unsalty
the king-size bed suddenly too small
clouds visible through half-drawn curtains
the rain fell softly against the window
when I stepped away, sailboats in the distance

There will always be storms
one person cannot generate a love story
or unravel solidarity

I haven’t thought of you for a while
today my walk was more in tune
the birds flew higher, their wings flapped calmer
there was a platypus at the bridge
the smell of Jasmine softened the air