Present

You’re here by my recalling pieces

of having fun together practising

the language: your head above

page number 20, Frida the cat

lying on your notes or trying to catch

a pencil moving with your hand

along the line. A ballet

dancer who used to wriggle

until somebody

discovered her passion. Sir David’s

Top Ten Moments arising from

a workbook exercise. Then, closer to
a family tree: the coffee machine

of Grandma who prefers not

to use things (‘cos they might

get broken) but thoroughly enoys

their napping on the shelves. The real taste

of word lists on the tongue. Imagined

talks of objects when no one is

looking. A Biology project stopped

by a pandemy. A Christmas tree brought home
with Dad as Mom prepared a list of Christmas dishes

(rice included!). Geen varnish on your long

nails as a part of your outfit for the show.

Synchronised ice skating live

in my life via your message.

Travelling from New York to Russia

by means of a text at the beginning of

Unit 3 or 4. Fabergé eggs multiplied

on your mobile screen. Windows waiting

to be washed. Our laughing

as if

the world had arrived

at its perfect moment.

(for Basia, on her birthday :))