Memoira Magazine: normotherapy

In the spring of 2021, the wonderful Memoira Magazine published my poem ‘normotherapy’ on their platform. Due to their hiatus, you can now read my poem here.

nor-mo-ther-apy

devour space time vitality in your womb,

you keep me normothermic all the while

–

you see drama tragedy catastrophe, i move less

it’s comedy hoopla farce, i take trampoline bounces as exuberantly as your laugh

amniotic fluid around me carries the odour of curry anise vanilla and all the bitterness you taste smell feel in pre-motherhood.

do we epitomise each other?

you me you me you

mother child mother mother mother

only a child

_

riveted to the spot, but not quiet either

until i should have turned upside down

but i was never a pushover,

a true caesarean

–

 so they cut slice tear you open

just to let me 

breathe crawl scuttle spit burp suck scream chew poop cry hum eat demand pound play whine grizzle whimper roll teeth sit blink push follow coo smile walk smell see laugh babble hear move touch learn hide speak peek wave kick run scribble imitate build explore

grow

you

cut the edges off my toast (anywhere everywhere)

feed my teddy elephant doll (everything anything)

read the same story (twice thrice) 

 and you

listen as i pounce on myself 

endure as i scream yell cry

 i hate you for creating me!  it’s your f***ing fault!?!!!!!!!and you help me pack my books cups plants 

when i move far away to see feel explore 

and grow slightly more

your cavernous love feels 

normothermic

three train rides two plane landings one ocean crossing away

i call you via umbilical cord

mum, i cannot do this anymore

mum, what fabric softener do i use

(to fix my career relationship identity life)?

mum mum mum

–

mum?

.

.

.

if i’m washed too hot will i shrink like my favourite sweater?