Curse
The ache’s an old friend,
hacking out a week
from every month.
Sneering cramp
clings from neck
to knee; madness
stalks the grey
week’s waiting,
masks the world
like a lead apron.
Feelings stray
to incongruous places,
crumbling thoughts
sliding off in a
red stream.
This is our time
to surge – snagged
by this scarlet pause.
And now the monthly
crosses wobble closer,
further – soon
the gaps between
will stretch to
fill the years.
So bring it on,
you think. Can’t wait.
But still you hear
the cold dark radiator
groan as life
escapes.
Yorkshirewoman Louise Wilford is an English teacher and examiner. She has had around 50 poems and short stories published in magazines including Popshots, Pushing Out The Boat and Agenda, and has won or been shortlisted for several competitions. She is currently writing a children’s fantasy novel.