The first day,

stuck in between appointments

and the risk of running out of steam,

I found you alone, blue jacket

protecting you against the September

driving pulse of crammed

up halls and lost momentum.

 

A lit cigarette punching above its weight,

enthusing will power into the lungs

and the air of nonchalant

grace tasting beautiful

as it hit the Liverpool air

outside the lecture hall; the final

trip of the day and felt like wheeling

away from it there and then.