Alasdair Paterson's Brumaire and Later, second selection

Here is my second selection from Alasdair's pamphlet. For a reminder of the context, please read the second paragraph here.




Swifts


You were there,
I was over here,
the swifts were 
everywhere between
being transcendental and
complicated and always
trapped in their velocities.


Their stitchwork fell apart
like old infatuation,
like the ghost of fireworks,
until dusk thickened 
and they were only
shivers in it.


I moved closer.
You let me help with
your imaginary shawl.




Alasdair Paterson
Brumaire and Later (Flarestack Poets, 2010)




You can buy a copy of Brumaire and Later directly from the publisher for a mere £5.50 including postage.