A Poem Instead of a Postcard

Dear Janine,

A postcard from the edge
of Africa. Impressions d'Afrique.
Only a week, and already memories
come and go, regular as the ferry,
regular as thoughts of her, despite
the catwalk grace of girls on the beach,
each with an invisible load on her head;
skin so black that it refracts the light,
as evening sprawls across the harbour,
staining dark red walls a darker red.
I sit on the terrace for hours. The fish
is delicious. Can't wait to paint
the flowers. I want to stay.

love,
A.

from Not Fade Away, Poems 1989-1994. Published by Bloodaxe Books 1994.