And Cousin Bruno Came To Lunch

seventy something
small like a gnome
and olive skinned
with shiny mottled pate

bright blue jacket
mobile phone
hanging from a bright blue cord around your neck

always flirting
and telling jokes
the same old jokes
– very funny too –
the same ponderous delivery
the same beautifully modulated voice
the same generous use of expletives

today was different
you spoke
of the Somme
of the pale green grass
of the bright red poppies
of the endless rows
of crosses
of white crosses
of small white crosses
as far as the eye could see
as far as the eye could see

and your face crumpled
like a paper napkin