Philip Davison lives in Dublin. Among his published novels are McKenzie's Friend (Cape) The Long Suit (Cape) and Quiet City (Liberties). He has written for radio, stage and television. He co-wrote Learning Gravity, a BBC Storyville documentary on poet and undertaker, Thomas Lynch. His poems have appeared in various journals.

Philip Davison

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Silver Rails

I had come to tell him
his son was dead.
Oh dear, he said.
It was the third time
for this mission.

Near empty glass of
powder orange juice
cheese crumbs, small nest
of grape wire.
I was glad to see
he was still eating.

What should we do? he asked.