we only saw something
when his sleeve
rode up from his wrist
just a little higher
that\'s where
the skin on his hand
turned into black-ink night
with stars here and there
that twinkled
like a throw of glitter
when he saw we were watching
he went a little bit red
made a cough
and a movement
that ended with him tugging
that sleeve down
a little lower
he smiled at the corner
of his mouth
sort of wry as though to say
you caught me out
so I best be going
and he was gone
almost before we noticed
I really don\'t remember
exactly how he looked
I can\'t visualise the cut
or how long his hair was
but I recall the way
he wore the stars on his arm
on the night
when the sleeve of his shirt rode
just a little bit higher
~