Nigel Forde

The Law of Diminishing Departures

I make tea from the water that you boiled
Before you left; use your special cup.
I choose this book because you read it last.
The fire I’ve kept in for days: these flames
Are still the ones you saw. The milk jug? Stet,
Because you left it there. I fool myself
With charms, connections, that should make you real
But punch your absence into every act.

I keep things too long; candles I won’t burn,
Logs, ditto, saved for feasts or rainy days;
The chances are tomorrow could be worse.
And now it is. I’ve kept you long enough.
I study to enjoy the chilly space
That closes round my hand instead of yours,
And walk on grass to watch the rising moon
Because you might be watching too. Because.

Petruta-Oana Naidut

Nigel Forde

Legea despartirilor usoare

Fac ceai cu apa pe care-ai fiert-o
Inainte sa pleci; beau din cana ta
Imi aleg cartea asta, ultima pe care-ai citit-o,
De zile intregi arde focul: sunt flacarile
Pe care si tu le-ai văzut. Cana de lapte? Ramane,
C-ai lasat-o tu acolo. Ma amagesc
Facand farmece, legaturi ce mi te-ar aduce inapoi,
Dupa care insa absenta ta-i mai greu de indurat.

Prea multă vreme tin de lucruri; de lumanari ce nu voi a le arde,
La fel de lemnele pastrate pentru sarbatori sau zile cu ploi;
Maine ar putea fi mai rau.
Acum chiar ca e. Destul am tinut si la tine.
Incerc a indragi aerul rece
Care sa-mi cuprinda mana in locul tau
Si calc prin iarba ca sa ma uit la rasarinda luna
Pentru ca si tu te-oi uita. De-aceea.