I walked with you on
Hyde park in Winter.
The air glanced cold
and the sky was clear
and watery.
It rang in its stillness.
We pressed together against
The chill.
London saw us in love.
She coveted us and her
Old cobbles and brownstone
Creaked under our youth.
Close as we were,
My cameras always laid
On your side
And bruised your flesh.
The glint of afterglow
Made your face shine
Like it was enshrined
In gold leaf.
Your student room
Could barely fit one but
We fit nicely.
In your repose
You fiddled with
German verbs
I lay propped up
Dizzy with sleep,
Your words hypnotic.
You translate a German
Text: The Difficulties in
Educating Immigrants.
Your brow, with its
Strong dark lashes,
Furrows.
I study your pen
As it wiggles black
And dots umlauts.
Your questions peal
Through hazy sleep
I cover my head in duvet.
The thick cloth book
Slaps as you flip,
Finding meaning.
The staccato words form
an alien German landscape
as verbs and nouns splay:
Adjectives, adverbs,
Gender seem placed
Random like code.
You press me for answers
But I don't know your razor
Aryan tongue.
