Light in Algiers

You were the light in Algiers
I had planned to leave that day

The Casbah steps were blue with morning
Three unsent apologies in my coat
You stacked oranges into a pyramid
Laughed when I chose the bruised one
I hid behind my careful French
You pulled a chair across the stone
My heart had lost the habit
You said we could start from there

You split the fruit and gave me half
Orange oil on both our hands
You never called it healing

You were the light in Algiers
Orange on your fingers, salt in the air
No cure, just a chair on the stone
You made room, and I stayed

You made room
The light in Algiers

By autumn the baker knew my face
Your mother saved the corner chair
One evening by the harbour
I called the brother I'd avoided
He answered on the fourth ring
I said, "I should have called"
He said, "You're calling now"
Your hand stayed next to mine
You never finished a sentence for me

Nine years, a different kitchen
My daughter can't reach the counter
She asks for the bruised one
I split it and give her half
The oil comes up bright on both our hands

You were the light in Algiers
Orange on your fingers, gold in the air
No cure, just a chair on the stone
You made room, I built a life in it

White city on the hillside
Light in Algiers, I take the last tram home