No Need to Be Strong

Solid is one of my poems about life, a reflection on the importance of all things physical and a celebration of body and object.

Solid – Poems About Life

 I like the substance of stones and
 the weight of a heavy suitcase 
all but pulling
 my arm out of its socket. 
 
I like remembering the Chinese burns
 my brother gave me 
in the middle of a brawl over 
rusty toy cars.
 
I like the texture of green apples, 
 ploughed by my front teeth 
 and how they paint a trail of
 juice and flesh on my tongue.
 
I like hard chairs and the dents they
 print on my skin and muscles 
 whipping me onto 
 the coffee-stained shopping list and
 the grassy wellies I need to hose down with
 the callous power hose. 
 
My friend the dog trainer told me that 
dogs like confined spaces. 
They make them feel secure, 
 she told me.
 
I like holding hands.  

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