When we check Katie into the hospital for the surgery at 7am and she is already hungry. ‘Fuck not eating for twelve hours’ she sits grumpily in the wheelchair, her long brown hair still rumpled and wet from her shower. We're not nervous, this surgery is going to fix everything. All the weakness she’s been … Continue reading Short Story: Shwarma
Short Story: Dane’s Mum
They have to move because Stan, the guy in the flat above, has been creeping on Dane’s mum. She’s nervous at the best of times and uncomfortable around people. Dane does the shopping. The plastic bags cut into his hands as he walks from the supermarket and he wonders if she would feel better if … Continue reading Short Story: Dane’s Mum
Huntsman
Sitting on the toilet I can see the hairs on its legs From finger to thumb it measures the length of my hand. Abel and Kane Our arachnid friend is unaware its significance is biblical. It would have been his 40th birthday this year All bones and dust The remains of our bond … Continue reading Huntsman
Short Story: Daily Commute
It’s been a hard morning, struggling to get the baby up, changed and dressed before walking to the bus stop. She needs to be carried and she is almost too big for it. It’s stinking hot too. Sweat is trickling down by back by the time we pass the corner shop and I wish I’d … Continue reading Short Story: Daily Commute
Short Story: After Dark
I watch the two boys dismember the marquee. Their bodies look stretched and wrong in the dark. Wrapped in layers to keep out the chill, they move awkwardly, reflective vests shimmering in the grey light – fish in a muddy river. I’ve given them responsibility for the whole row. Twenty tents. Eighty weights. Against the … Continue reading Short Story: After Dark
Shame
We slough skin from our bodies. Seven lives -- We emerge pink and newborn from each heartbreak. Fists closed; eyes squeezed shut in protest. Not again, Not again. Left cold by our past selves We flee each pin-prick of realisation. Breathing our cold breath out over the valley of expectant upturned faces Forcing our gaze … Continue reading Shame
Falling in love over and over again
A book is not an isolated being: it is a relationship, an axis of innumerable relationships. — Jorge Luis Borges Like many people living in the modern era I spend at least 7 hours of my day in front of a screen, whether it’s on my computer at work, or on my phone texting friends … Continue reading Falling in love over and over again
To forgive and forget, or not?
What literature tells us about forgiving, forgetting and vengeance. Forgiveness is a concept most of us are familiar with. When someone has wronged you, whether its to break your heart or your phone, the virtuous way to deal with it is to forgive and forget. Right? Forgiveness is a psychological concept, enshrined in religion and … Continue reading To forgive and forget, or not?
You have a lovely vagina
I've been waxing since I was a teenager. Growing up in the modern world you soon learn that our relationship with body hair is contradictory. In winter it keeps us warm but having smooth silky body-parts is synonymous with being attractive. I'd love to say my attitude to body-hair hasn't been formed by a culture that … Continue reading You have a lovely vagina
The Australian Women’s Movement and White Privilege
https://vimeo.com/147760743 We need to talk about the Australian women’s movement and white privilege. [As published on Medium] Let me first clarify that I am a white woman and regardless of my upbringing, personal struggles or history, I am unequivocally white in a society that accepts white as the norm. I am passionate about equality and … Continue reading The Australian Women’s Movement and White Privilege
