At first the words dropped from your tongue,
Stillborn sentences that tripped
And lost their way. Writing followed,
Your flowing script replaced by three
Small dots that stalled, never to be
Rebooted. Sign language followed too
And finally your eyes went mute
And silence fell.

Returning home I find myself
Turning to talk, to share my thoughts,
When recollection makes me still.
And now we’re mutually muted, a second
Silence falls.

Over the last week I’ve found myself wanting to share our experiences in Turkey with Mum, to message or call, only to remember that I can’t.
(11.11.26)

© Ben Quant 2026