Nettle

In the 1980s
I collected Brambly Hedge
Miniatures
And loved
The recipes
On the crockery

Laughing at the idea
Of blackberry sorbet
Elderflower wine sounded fine
But too old for me

I wanted to be a mouse
In a tree trunk house

I wondered about my adulthood
Would I forage?

But the nettles
I was entranced
How could they be edible?
They are weeds

Olivia Twist

You should be grateful
For food
For a roof

Why?
These are rights

I am entitled
To live
To life

No thanks for everything I do for you
Boo-hoo

What more am I supposed to do?
Bow daily
In servitude

I ask for nothing in return
Do you?

Because last time I checked
I am your carer,
Counsellor, eternal companion

Shamed and shunned
When I ask to be alone

Told there is something wrong with me
Called selfish, stupid,
Heartless

You don’t know how long I wanted you
Again, not true

You remind me when
I do anything you don’t like
Or leave your side

I loved you the moment I held you
My dreams came true

Your dream, not mine

Wither

Inspired by Bloom by Gabbie Hanna

 

I saw clearly early
Microscopic anaylsis
Of a system that oppresses

The emptiness
Was more present
Than anything

You could not sell me meritocracy
Scarce fairness

Self-made woman
Girl bossed me around
Until I was down down down

I am not ignorant
I know what/who’s casting the shadow
On the cave

But I want to stay here
Recuperate

Wilt down to the ground
To grow back strong again