Josep is off to Geneva with his ticket ‘to go and return’ as he calls it. In Catalan it is anada i tornada and in Spanish ida y vuelta. I have told him that it is simply called a return ticket in English but he has forgotten.
Mary is in the station buying her ticket—ida sólo, ‘a ticket to go’ as Josep might call it. I stand in the shade until the train rolls in and I help Mary on with the bags. She forces a smile as the train pulls out and disappears round the bend, past the poplars in the cemetery, below the white light of the sun.
I walk back down the hill. Blossom is snowing from the trees on either side of the street.
The flat is suddenly a big place. No cases, no cat, no make-up or aromatherapy bottles in the bathroom—some space on the bookshelves. I hear footsteps on the stairs. Try not to think about Mary. Josep has a point. It is the English language that got it wrong. How can you return if you don’t go in the first place?
| Copyright © | Steve Porter, 2004 |
|---|---|
By the same author  | There are no more works at Badosa.com |
| Date of publication | September 2007 |
| Collection | Global Fiction |
| Permalink | https://badosa.com/n250-69 |
I have read some poems by Steven Porter and I liked them very much. He has a big poetry knowledge and a large sensitivity to write poems. Now I'm interested in his new book The Iberian Horsehoe because I want to know his point of view about Spanish people and about my country. I would like you to publish more things by Steven Porter.
Just a note to let you know how much I dislike Steve Porter's The Iberian Horseshoe. His arrogance makes me believe he's an American in disguise. Cheers,
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