Just in Case

by Em Readman

Watch him stare out to sea,
Out past the islands and the
Shipping channels,
 
Just in case.
 
He listens, for the sound of
A tin hull scraping against
The rock jetty.
 
He watches the tide for a fish-
ing rod with the matching initials
Etched in the handle.
 
Hopes for a boat turning past the cape,
For a ‘nice to meet you’
For a ‘I knew you’d be looking.’
 
He waits, for the absence of
No news, for something
More than this.
 
He scribbles down the names
Of all the sailboats, resting
In the marina,
 
Like it’s their fault,
Touches the rudder
Of Moonspinner.
 
I worry he’ll come back to the marina.
Climb the chain link fences, and
Go looking for you.
 
I slip my hand in his,
Look him dead in the eyes,
See straight through to yours. 

Em Readman is a writer who lives in Meanjin (Brisbane). Her work has recently been published in Aniko Press, KOS Magazine, Good Material Magazine. They were shortlisted for the QUT Allen and Unwin Creative Writing Award in 2019, and earned a Highly Commended Award in the 2021 Kingston Arts Blitz.