Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS writer.
fig. 1
Foetal position, cocooned in a blanket,
Too tired to sleep.
fig. 2
Mug cradled in hands, head bowed,
Too tired to eat.
fig. 3
Bag in a white knuckled grip, eyes closed against the sunlight,
Too tired to work.
33 bones stacked high, reinforced with titanium bolts,
The wall of the bus shelter the only thing holding me up.
The guilt of obligation forces me to move,
One foot in front of the other.
I cannot outrun my exhaustion.
***
Fear is being set adrift,
Anchor lost to rust covered memory.
There are no strings on me, just
A No Standing Zone ignored by crowds.
The only sound is the buzzing;
Phantom noise in my ears.
Girl with a yoyo heart;
It jumps, lodges itself in my throat.
It won’t choke me though.
Gravity’s not so kind –
Soon it’s plummeting again.
***
Shed the chrysalis girl. Open those blinds.
Stretch and roll, one thing at a time.
If I can’t be a back straight, look ‘em in the eye girl
I can write her instead.
Confidence is just a character after all.
Shoulders back,
Stand up tall.
Breathe deep,
Wake up,
Stand tall.
Madeleine Glenister
You can find Madeleine ranting about politics and shaking my fist at the sky on Twitter @maddielouclare