embers in the dark

He’s walked right round
the town twice now taking
Rueben & Ben with him

(Did you know
I’ve only just realised
The double Ben)

Priya & I have been
In & out of kitchens
& the supermarket

Gathering supplies
Of anything everything
Might be useful

& bringing it back to Base
Camp Fig Leaf
As Ruby named it Day 1 here

Tells me he’s almost done
& we’ll be on our way
South. Soon, so very soon

Been exhausted so long
But his eyes in the dark
like red embers    glowing