The final seaside trip

by John (@bookdreamer)
(Bristol, UK)

I don’t know what to do,
I love you, you’re lovely,
I’ll go home if you will.

He sits slumped,
not hearing her,
his face slurred,
a body torn,
trousers staining,
as his breath shudders.

I don’t know what to do…
Outside, the sea tickles sand,
unseen and unheard
but its brine makes yesterday
stir with family picnics
or lips first tasted on VJ night.

I love you, you’re lovely…
She stumbles, lost,
terrified at the stranger,
drooling beside her.
She blinks and it’s wiped
and the looped prayer renews.

I’ll go home if you will.
His mouth breaks words,
she couldn’t hear if shouted,
so his finger reaches
to speak by touch
to the love that stayed.

I don’t know what to do,
I love you, you’re lovely,
I’ll go home if you will.