ted hughes arrived at my front door with an apology and a box of chocolates /dark chocolate melting over marzipan / he remembered my favorites / goodtrick after so long an estrangement
ted hughes stepped in / once invited / he always was polite that way / britishmanners / so I offered him a seat and a glass of wine / he declined the wine / Idid not and set the candy beside my half-emptied bottle
ted hughes sat in the burgundy armchair / legs crossed / well-shined brownshoes on peacockish display / brown slacks and sweater vest / I wore grey /bare feet
ted hughes watched me pull my legs beneath my body / and perch / take a gulpof a mild merlot

we did not speak for many / many minutes

until we did.

Photo by Shivam Dewan on Unsplash