And Breathe

Ahead of White Ribbon Day 2023, we held ‘Writing into Recovery’ poetry workshops as part of our Wellbeing Service with women. The classes focused on writing poetry as a path towards ownership, discovery and transformation led by poet Penny Hughes, using this year’s White Ribbon Day theme, #ChangeTheStory. The poems featured in a trail around Stapleford to mark White Ribbon Day.

This poem was written by participant, Lisa.

And Breathe

The curtains were drawn
When you wanted.
Craving the last rays of light
Plunged into suffocating gloom.
“Keep in the warmth” you said.
Stone cold.

“Why is the window open?”
(I’m suffocating)
“Shut it if you want” I say.
(I can’t breathe)
Last gasps. Slam shut.

Curtains wide ‘til I decide.
Light, freedom, air, breathe.

Escaped at last and forever.
That sinister, vile, permeating chill.

Breathing freely now
Warm air inside and out.