Tony Harrison - Long Distance lyrics

Though my mother was already two years dead Dad kept her slippers warming by the gas, put hot water bottles her side of the bed and still went to renew her transport pa**. You couldn't just drop in. You had to phone. He'd put you off an hour to give him time to clear her things and look alone as though his still raw love were such a crime. He couldn't risk y blight of disbelief though sure that very soon he'd hear her key scrape in the rusted lock and end his grief. He knew she'd just popped out to get the tea. I believe life ends with d**h, and that is all. You haven't both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there's your name and the disconnected number I still call.