Photos by M. Quille of public exhibition on 4th floor of Senate House, University of London
by Jenny Mitchell
A suitcase snaps with joy,
falls open at my feet –
not clothes, no shoes but
from its gut laughter left
on distant shores. I see
grandmother’s eyes half-
closed, head forward as
each peal rings out.
All that is packed inside
the case. Because I left her
on a wharf, tears are held
in every seam, the wave
of her small hand – Goodbye.
Be safe. Come back!
These words were folded once,
now falling from my grip.
