Roe v wade No one wants to need an abortion, in the same way no one wants to be raped, to be carrying a baby that will die before it’s born, to use contraception properly but still become pregnant, to be dumped by the father of their child, to be too young to know the facts, […]
96 words – feeling old
Feeling old is just in the mind, they say. It’s only a number, they say. Hormones, who needs ‘em? But. There’s always a but. You wouldn’t want to leap in unselfconsciously with your loose flapping skin and grey hair flying, would you? That would look ridiculous. Shameful. They don’t want wizening women sticking their beaky […]
Cloak of invisibility and other people problems
A woman, on her own, is walking home. A perfectly reasonable thing to do, necessary even. How else is she going to get there? She’s wearing flat shoes, a coat. Sensible and brisk. She’s looking eyes front, all purpose, yet her ears are tingling with the effort of straining for the rustling in the undergrowth and […]
Statues: celebrate the changes
A statue tells several stories. One is its subject’s, one is of those who commissioned and created it, and one of how we understand and react to these other stories. Which is most important? Do I need to open this post with a statement about black lives mattering? Surely not… Some things are blindingly obvious, […]
Distraction diaries – write what you know
Write what you know, they say… So I’m trying, simultaneously, to craft a poem about kindness – which I don’t always understand, a short story comparing women to tuning forks, and to empty my head onto the page. Only none of it’s working. Write what you know, they say… I’m too damn distracted. Can’t concentrate. […]