Wanted

‘Missing’ posters have faded to nicotine yellow,
Washed away by bridle paths of rain.
Her curved smile bent the bitter breeze
Towards corrugated clock face.
A minute’s silence lost in Saturday night remains.

A secretary’s life typed off, mid-sentence,
Typecast as an alluring victim,
Grainy CCTV whodunnit:
Francois Hardy cadet cap
Pinot Noir swagger
Hand clutches a silent phone.

Darling, Night Arrived without you…..
Cerise scarf bleeding into bramble void
Umbrella spokes fingerprint the cruellest sky.

When you are the last known
Person to see someone alive,
The detectives’ breath forms an accusing mist
Each empty kitchen space could be
The tenancy for a stone-cold knife.