How would it be?

How would it be
If you left me?
Would you have to go?
Would you need to dash?
Would you have a train to catch?
Would it be, “Tarra a bit”?
“Au revoir a bit”?
A, “Tadda for now”?
Air kisses and “Ciao”?
A “Good riddance, cow!”
Or see you laters
And alligators?
Maybe you would have to fly
Or shout a breezy, “Cheerie bye”.
Perhaps you’d give a parting sigh
A, “Keep in touch;
This hurts too much.”
Would you kiss me?
Would you miss me?
Give a knowing wink?
A teary blink?
A backwards glance
In a gormless trance?
A doff of your hat?

How would it be
If you left me?

 

'Tarra a bit' etching.
Linda Nevill 2004

This poem was produced as a result of the initial collaboration between myself and printmaker Linda Nevill which lead to the formation of the group, Image Text Image. The piece was written on a train journey between Wolverhampton and Edinburgh.

Emma Purshouse 2006