by Helen Ivory | Aug 11, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
Liberty When she asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my mother laughed when I said ‘free’ She’s been dead for more than thirty years – not much freedom in her kitchen-sink life She settled for snatching time out, pausing with that dreamy...
by Helen Ivory | Aug 10, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
At the End of the Class The young woman in a hijab thanked/praised/appreciated me For all I had shown/ encouraged/ inspired in her Asked whether I observed/ took part in/ celebrated Rosh Hashanah? How did she find out/ realise/ discover...
by Helen Ivory | Aug 9, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
Bison I wrote the title of the lesson on the board and underlined it with a flourish. The class listened to my introduction. I could see that even Rachel’s eyes were waiting for what I would say next. I felt calm. The pile of marking on the desk...
by Helen Ivory | Aug 7, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
Masquerade I keep thinking I see you across the street, hurrying along, you’re too busy to see me. Strange, to think of the dead being busy, people to see, places to go, so many appointments in the calendar of eternity. I used to ‘see’ you when...
by Helen Ivory | Aug 6, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
Daughters of Rain after Mijoda Dajomi’s Rain-harvesting Hats All summer the sun scorched the city and the sky held back its tears. Yesterday, in East London, a wildfire devoured nineteen homes, while the capital’s parks burnt to dust. Adrift in...
by Helen Ivory | Aug 5, 2026 | Featured, Poetry
28th April 2015 The night before, I paced London’s streets sparkling and fizzing with ideas the pills used to dull and destroy. I felt awake, alive. Thoughts popped like fireworks, I couldn’t sleep for flashes and Bang! I solved a Pure Maths...
