This week my life slipped into that strange pre-holiday limbo that happens every year at this time. For those foreigners living and working in Bangladesh the closing of the international schools for the summer signals a mass exodus of families. Not everyone leaves at once, but almost every one is counting the days before they go for their annual leave. I can’t help but count the days until it’s my turn….

Count days

Count days

Hasten languid hours

Keep busy

Stay active

Work, work, work

Avoid the empty house

Count nights

Patrol abandoned rooms

Shake pillows

Check cupboards

Sit on empty bed edges

Tally lethargic sheep

Count hours

Envisage warm reunions

Mark calendars

Plot, plan

Linger, sigh – wait

Anticipate