Drawing by Judith Wolfe
Matt Harris g

Poem


      THE JIGSAW AGAIN

      you wave down a car and get in
      they are an old couple - they want to help
      you ask for a lift and
      they say: 'where are you going love?'
      and you say: 'I don't know
      I don't know why
      but for some reason I have to travel exactly an inch.'
      they smile knowingly
      the old man releases the handbrake
      the car inches forward
      you thank them for the lift and get out

      then you are in the jigsaw dream again
      you must complete the jigsaw
      it has more than a million pieces
      it is infinite

      you could begin by checking if any of the pieces are missing
      you're just about to pick one up
      when you notice your arm is enormous

      either your body has swollen around you
      or you have fallen into it
      everything is thick
      and that oscillating hum means you cannot leave
      until the jigsaw is completed
      where to begin?
      there are no corner pieces

      for a small second
      understanding what infinity means
      then it slips away
      and you merely think in terms of billions again
      you are you
      the other you
      the clock shines small relief
      it is 3:21 am
      sitting upright in bed
      waiting for the assurance of birds
      only the birds can say:
      it's okay to go back to sleep


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