I’m waiting
please come
she called
I went
to a takeout place along the road.
In the front room a stench of fish
mouths pinched n’chawing.
In the middle room, rice
kernels leaking, bags stitched.
In the back
an old man sorting greens
a chair with slump of clothes.
Approaching I touch the heap
and it springs up
ancient voice clear:
Where were you!