Tenby, ‘25

Flat, four walls, a seagull on the sill

A sleepless summer night, it’s too hot and I miss my lover

The girls and I laughed and cried until midnight because we understand each other

There’s not a thing I’ve ever wanted more than to find those who illuminate my heart

The kettle is on in the morning and the steam rises like a ghastly genie

The seagull sounds like a street cat when it wants to be heard

How unlucky is it that no one would ever think to pet or to hold this hungry bird

Yesterday the pizza was eaten in two bites so the seagull knew it’s not invited to the feast

I found house music boring but then I moved to the UK

I thought that I liked being cold but then I sneezed looking at the sun

I found that I liked loving softly and adding sugar to my tea

I found that I don’t like seagulls very much and I’d rather watch sparrows with my flatmate

I found that I can walk down the beach with my ears uncovered because I can sing my mother’s favourite song

I know I love being a woman

I know I love being here

When it’s easy I forget it’s ever been hard

And my ponytail doesn’t pull on my head, and my necklace sits perfectly on my collarbone

By Liza Glushak