gone

it’s the first time 
since she went 
that i’ve been back here
to this outdoor café
in a crowded square 

by the busy beach 
at the same time
in the late afternoon

i use to come here 
twice every week
after i saw her
spent an hour or two 
with her

in the nursing home
where she lived
for years

today i came here 
at the time i use to
and am feeling sad
as i thought i would be
and thinking lots of her 

while having a coffee
enjoying the sun
and reading the paper

i suppose thoughts 
and feelings 
are expected
coming back here  
as i’m missing her

and still find it hard
to believe
mum is gone

Stephen House has won many awards and nominations as a poet, playwright, and actor. He’s had 20 plays produced with many published by Australian Plays Transform. He’s received several international literature residencies from The Australia Council for the Arts, and an Asialink India literature residency. He’s had two chapbooks published by ICOE Press Australia: ‘real and unreal’ poetry and ‘The Ajoona Guest House’ monologue. His next book drops soon. He performs his acclaimed monologues widely. Stephen had a play run in Spain for 4 years.