With shoes and a late night Parisian kiss on her mind
She set off.
+
Driving past old neighbourhoods with new facades,
Back to familiar smells, faces and bends.
The fifteen years I lived there I memorised each contour of the four-lane road.
I've learnt to trade nostalgia for new beginnings.
+
Three days and nine pairs of shoes.
This morning we had a picnic at the botanical gardens.
The idea seemed ludicrous at first,
But it was a mild morning, and we planted ourselves under massive palms.
Lying on colour-coordinated blanket, plastic sheet, and cushions,
I coaxed a nasty hangover and sleep deprivation into obedience.
We talked about coming of age,
And of friendships.
We had ribena, ham and cheese sandwiches, and cigarettes.
+