I imagine there will be no family there

at Ted’s graveside today,

as a single crow falls silent in respect

in Anfield Cemetery

the last of his line,

the last remaining soul.

I first encountered Ted some years earlier,

a man of smiles and intrigue

but now his days were spent

keeping warm in the taxi café

off Lime Street Station and drinking tea,

reading the paper

and occasionally telling a story

of his life…

now consigned to fading memory,

both he and the café alike.