page 215

Vana Manasiadis

series of dramas

the lights are out
another power cut
like the one last night
and the one before
funny that
not really
not sober

*

I used to be beautiful
you used to be vain
what's the difference?
in your case not much
thanks a lot
you look the same
as a california raisin
as wholesome
and closer to coming out the other side
that's inevitable
and undesirable
unless you are a romantic
page 216 and who is these days?
better off now
grounded
sure

*

late again
not by my watch
try winding it
it's not a wind-up
get a new battery then
sounds like your talking hens
sounds like you're talking shit
hand me a shovel
a spade
is a spade is a spade

*

last night I dreamt you were hiding at the bottom of the garden
like a hedgehog
more like a cat
waiting for my chance, I bet
to pounce
to bolt

*

page 217

howabout that time
that we went to the beach
and it was blowing a southerly
so we had to hide behind the dunes
and close our eyes tight
sand got into my ears
and in my eyes
so that you couldn't hear
and you couldn't see
I felt your fingers twist my arm
your teeth round my tongue
there were bruises
and a cut
in the morning
who was the first to go?
it was calm by then
seagulls were picking through the seaweed

*

when
will
this
be
over
?

page 218

*

will you need this blanket?
I've got others
I'll take it then
put it in the boot of your car
thought I'd lay it on the bed
bit old for that isn't it?
it's relative
take these buttons as well then
you don't want them?
what would I do with a bunch of buttons?
replacements for lost ones
there are shops for that
I'll take this brown one
there are five of them
the one will do
memento
hardly

*

I'd pass my hand over your face
check that I was sleeping
that you were breathing