With deepest sympathy, I need to write here that Mr D Robin passed away at the beginning of July, 2023.
I am sincerely grateful to his wife Katya Robin for agreeing to have this poem published her as per Damian’s wishes.

C O N F L I C T

A series of Poems by Mr Damian Robin

5 - LOSS OF MEMORIES OF LOVED ONES

ORIGINALLY READ TO MEMBERS OF THE AJR (ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES)’S POETRY PLEASE WITH A SIMILAR GLOSS TO THE ONE ON THIS SOUND FILE ABOVE

?

 In life’s rubbles,

 where can we find them ?

 In camera holes ?

 In whites between eyed words ?

 Through aires of flock-strummed birds ?

 In shoaled fish bowls ?

 Beyond the rim

 of speech bubbles

 ?

 And do we doubt our love for them

 when a memory bursts across us

 and we’re shocked we had forgotten

 them

 and maybe even often

 and root and stem and petals’ promise

 dispersed to dewdrop diadem

 ?