Afternoon
1999
Interior of the family living room
Armchair by a fire
Piles of books and papers on every available surface
Dust
An easel with an unfinished painting is near the window
He looks at easel
Please don't let her go into a home when I die, Deb
She's had enough of institutions
Shall I take you to the window to watch the sparrows hop?
Part your hair in the centre right or left?
Mashed potato with it, or pasta?
I'll guess, like in the photographs
Shall I take you to the farm to watch the lambkins?
Crochet, knit or watch TV?
Floral dress or skirt and blouse on?
I'll guess, like in the photographs
Shall I take you to Daddy's grave, tulips or sweet peas?
Talk to him or stay silent?
Trace the gold letters with your hand or mine?
I'll guess, like in the photographs
Shall I travel to where you died?
Be close to you, or give you space?
To Bielefeld where you lived young?
Were you happy then, with your parents?
I'll guess, like in the photographs
Morning
2011
Interior of restaurant
On the wall an oil panting of two ladies walking up the hill, their backs to the viewers, faces unseen
Radio blaring
Table set for breakfast with white tablecloth
One place
Waitress: Would you like to see the menu, darlin'?
We've got Scottish porridge as a special today, with golden syrup
If you fancy sumink a bit more la-de-da we've got these croissants with some lovely
The sound filled the space between us