The last ten days have seen research into buying a caravan, coming second in a poetry competition and winning a voucher (which I used to order the Verso Radical Diary) and a visit to the Anarchist Festival. I’ve also contributed poetry that will be published in Readable zine. And my cough has improved. I let my old colleagues in the alumni team know how I am getting on. I’ve begun a new work project involving ways to enhance my university’s applicant support. And I have created a writing portfolio on my university’s intranet to collect all my works together. I bought a handful of zines from one of my favourite distros; Vampire Hag. I’ve been trying to get over a flu that’s hung on for why too long. It’s a raspy lingerer which gets worse at night and/or in cold conditions (winter will be fun!). I’ve slept a lot. I’ve applied for a part-time art lecturer job.

Feral Youth by Nina Dunne

Often cited as the best days of our lives
I despised
The feelings of no control
Lack of respect
“What do they know?”

I know you left a hole
I cannot fill in
While I’m searching for home
Or ways to own my voice/body/soul

If again I hear
How I’m wet behind the ears
My calmness will disappear
Tense fist
Head reared

I remember the first September
When I entered a classroom
My pleas to be heard
Over behaviours absurd
Went unacknowledged

So I became silent
And watched
I fell behind
But I didn’t mind

I learnt at home
Much later
And alone

I decorated my own world
The walls greasy with words
I built armour
And tamed wolves
By myself

I am the master of my health

First published at blogs.canterbury.ac.uk/studentnews/world-mental-health-day-competition-winners