Letter to Mary

Robert Berold

I tried to get to see your grandchildren. I phoned the one shop at Sepanaphudi. The manual operator put me through. I asked him if he knew the Theleles. Yes, he said, they’re all here, who do you want to speak to?

I phoned the next day, spoke to one of them. Didn’t get his name, but he knew mine. Mr Robert? Come and see us quickly. Bring clothes, girls’ clothes, and food. We are all without jobs. Can you come tomorrow? Put off by his desperation, I didn’t go.

I’ll still come one of these days and visit your grave. Because long ago you carried me from the noise into the sunlight. How much I’ve tried to pay my debt to you. Only to find out that debts of guilt are endless. And debts of love? There are no debts of love.

Previously published in New Coin

LitNet: 20 December 2005

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