PETER'S STORY
Michael Swan

After the lecture
a woman limped up
face scarred and twisted
grotesque.

'Do you remember me, Peter?'

'Give me a moment,' I said.
'Let me get my memory in focus.'
I mimed getting something in focus.

'I've changed, of course.'

'Yes,' I said.

'One of my eyebrows
is higher than the other.'

'Yes, I can see that.'

'My mouth is twisted
and one cheek sunk in.
The bone gone.'

'Yes,' I said.
'It is.'

'But do you still remember me?'

'Well, ...' I said.

'Do you feel something?'

'I know we have been close.' I said.
'I can tell we have been close.'

'Peter,' she said.
'We spent the night crying with love.
Peter
do you remember?'

'Yes,' I said.
'I do.
I think I do'.