Sarah Barr lives in Dorset where she writes poetry and fiction. Her writing has appeared in various magazines, anthologies and newspapers, in print and online. Her poetry has been placed and shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and she has twice received the Dorset Award in this competition. Her poem ‘Blue Monday’ was shortlisted in the Charles Causley International Poetry Competition in 2018. Her poetry pamphlet, ‘January’, was published by Maytree Press in 2020 and her short story collection, ‘Night Zoo’, was published by Lendal Press in 2022.

I remember buying the psychedelic tie

in pink and orange cotton.

Ties are a fall-back gift but this was different.

I gave it to you at our snatched lunch

in Kensington Church Street

when we unexpectedly decided to meet

half-way between what we were both doing.

We didn’t mind being rushed. In those days

the future was endless.

The lunch was in some ordinary café

and I don’t remember what we ate,

just you flying in like a sought-after comet.

Now you say you have more than enough ties

for several life-times.