Kate Kelly – People like me

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Live Encounters Poetry & Writing Volume Three November-December 2024

Aotearoa Poets and Writers Special Edition

People like me, poems by Kate Kelly.

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People like me

The taking of my authority – crawl to sleep
Called a swamp monster in the morning
Bleeding
Bruised
Frightened
Walking for 2 ½ hours to get home, uphill
Cannot walk properly
Looked at as if disgusting
Continuing to pretend that nothing has happened
Continuing to pretend that nothing has happened
Continuing to pretend that nothing has happened
Eating dinner
Continuing to pretend that nothing has happened
I have changed
I no longer have healthy boundaries
I cannot ask for help
I believe that I don’t deserve assistance
I sleep with anyone without protection
I have suicidal ideation but do not recognise this
I cannot play music anymore
I cannot focus on schoolwork
I am kicked out of school
Continuing to pretend that nothing has happened
Crawl to sleep
The taking of my authority
Crawl to sleep
In emergency, sleep
Crawl to sleep. In emergency, sleep, sleep.

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Mercury, aspects of normal

We are not just elements
We are not static
We do not fit on the table
We cannot be held in the palm and turned
I am not zinc – not completely
My son is not Argon – not completely
You are not Iron – not completely
You are not Iron – not completely anyway
Everyone takes fish oil pills these days don’t they
Long, translucent, sticky
Don’t burp on someone
We are not static
Dolly Parton played Glastonbury today
Sunny
Dry
Midriff top about strong shoulders – working 9 to 5 –
She, resplendent in skin-tight white jumpsuit with sequins
“I’ve played big shows, but not this big”
Yet a Pakistani couple, married in secret, were beheaded by the husband’s family
Same day
We are not static
I am not Iron – not completely
I will not fit on that table
The news is full of contrasts
Newsreaders still poker faced
They were be-headed
Dolly, huge boobs and blond hair strode around
“I’ve always wanted to do this” – we are not static.

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I can’t believe I’m still bleeding

I can’t believe I’m still bleeding
I can’t believe I’m still bleeding
I can’t believe I’m still bleeding
I’m sure I notice it more
Am more self-conscious
It just seems so absurd.
No vomiting for hours now
No passing out at school.
No FLOODING.
No lack of painkillers
Only sleep could cure pain
And pot.
But really…
I can’t believe that I’m still bleeding
Married Corrections Officer thinks I’m 48 and should have more children
He must assume that Yes…I’m still bleeding.

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© Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly is half a century. Poetry is a mode of expression of choice as it is concrete and feels powerful in a very subtle way. To share a viewpoint that is individual and unique is a real privilege.