From Stockholm With Love

“You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness”
—Gotye, ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’

You move away and
Change your number. The new place is not too bad.
It could do with a new fence.
                                                But first
On the day you arrive, you arrange everything
For two: two chairs for dinner. Two toothbrushes.
You sleep on the same side
In the new bed. With your new mornings, you journal
Again and look at fitness
Classes you could try out. A poetry group. You go to yoga,
Take up dance lessons. Martial arts.
Only poetry sticks, of course.
                                                So you go back
Over the weeks and months, eventually trusting,
Chatting more in class as you slowly
Make new friends: you invite one over for dinner.
                                                                Only when they arrive
They are confused
By the third place you’ve set at the dinner table.
                                                                They then go
To the bathroom and come out
Puzzled by the second toothbrush.
                                                        “Do you…
Are we expecting someone else?” they
                                                                  Say.
                                                                        “Yes!” you
Say. “Yes I am!
                          Though
                                        They’ll be a while yet: they’re still asleep.”