The Instructions

have all been written down, but still

she has trouble working the TV. She calls

me up to say the device has turned itself off

again, and could I come over and turn it

back on? Just look at the notes Nana,

I say. I wrote the instructions down for you. 

It’s a similar story with the microwave,

with its buttons seemingly designed to

perplex her. The internet is a true enigma.

I just don’t know how to manage, now

that he’s gone. The place is just so big,

so empty. And the bills, she says. Michael

used to sort the bills – now I don’t know

what to do. I try to assure her that all is OK,

all is in order, the electricity won’t run out,

the hot water won’t suddenly go cold.

She hunches into herself. Tired now. Old.

She reuses a tea bag to make a weak tea.

Joshua Seigal 

(Published in The Relationship Expert)