I think this one is self-explanatory.

For Stuart, who accidentally obtained a job in the Civil Service

 

I have it in my diary as May the 6th
and a beautiful evening. We walk in silence
back to my house. There are condolences;
sitting round as though we are at a wake,
somebody mentions Kafka.

You explain about your mother.
For now, I tell you, just for now…
the evening light and a spark, fallen
from your cigarette butt onto the woolly jumper
over your truculent heart, quietly dying.

from These Days (Jonathan Cape, 2004), © Leontia Flynn 2004, used by permission of the author and the publisher

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