On a road parallel to this one
I see myself and he is
eating vegetables, booking dentist
appointments before fillings break,
moisturising his hands, stretching,
putting important documents
into a filing system, talking kindly
to himself, massaging his scalp,
reading the important books,
wrapping presents, following up
on messages, watering plants,
breathing, breathing, breathing.
I nod to him until the tarmac melts
into a river and I watch as he
uses his ability to swim.

© Carl Burkitt 2022