THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

I wonder about the things we say too quietly,

To ever be heard aloud;

I wonder why we deem it essential,

To cover the rawest parts of ourselves, in order to stand proud?

There are things- too quiet, too delicate,

To be spoken in the daylight;

Things that are crafted vaguely, brought up after the sunset or before the sunrise,

Things meant to be choked out in voices slight;

We humans are odd creatures- masters at hiding what we mean,

We speak so loudly half the time,

So that no one hears the invisible unseen;

Maybe we swallow words for the best,

Exactly for the reason we're scared of death-

We prefer happy lies that hurt to swallow, than the bitter truth that's difficult to digest.