Bio
David Adès is an Australian poet based in Sydney. He is most recently the author of "The Heart's Lush Gardens", "The Toolmaker and Other Poems" and "A Blink of Time's Eye". He hosts a monthly poetry podcast series, Poets' Corner, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/playlist.
David Adès
The Visitor
Doubt came to visit me.
He wore a cravat and a beret to keep up appearances.
He seemed pleased – there was no guile in his smile.
I offered him a glass of wine.
He said he didn't need to lubricate his thoughts.
I made a bed for him in the spare room.
At night I heard him pacing.
In the morning he looked tired, dishevelled.
Insomnia, he said, drinking his coffee.
Sometimes we allowed the silence between us to grow.
We have had the same arguments so often
there is almost comfort in it.
I have trouble sleeping myself, I eventually replied.
He has come and gone so many times over the years
but now he asks, mind if I stay?