Poetry | When I Was Trying To Leave Him

Just reach over and take the books off the shelf,

Pack them into the bag, they are yours.

Like the moisturiser, take it from the bathroom.

Take your mug. See how it comes beside you.

Don’t feed his gaze, breathe eyes into the horizon,

Touch all of horror, all of beauty, not just his.

Now, step out into the cold dawn, into the wind.

Feel the air around you like a thousand loving arms,

Don’t brace yourself against it, back straight, fists tight,

Surrender and know that nothing ever needs a fight,

Hold your breath for a moment, make space,

Sweetheart, ease yourself from his airless embrace.