You pack
a wheelie suitcase
with clothes you bought yourself
years ago.

You take a stack of magazines,
the fruits of a year’s hard work
proof
she should be proud.

Three bananas for the road,
your cell phone charger
‘The art of war.’

She will drive for hours
to pick you up
pleased
you’ll quietly screw up

the list of questions
fifteen years’ worth
that’s been burning a hole
right through.

© Saradha Koirala 2010