Elvis Costello is singing
Almost Blue on the kitchen radio.
And outside in the garden, rain.

My radio speakers keep cutting out –
perhaps it’s the weather. Almost –

Almost he sings. Then Blue –
Blue. A fine white line between the words.

This is what I want – a room full of you, blue.
This is what I have – a crackle of speakers, rain,
the space to you or the you I thought you’d be.

I hear all the words of the song,
but I only hear Almost.
I hear only Almost,
I hear all the words of the song.