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In Vein
Poet: Bethan Manley
my body has forgotten how to love
turned spinster-before-its-time
turned crazy-cat-lady-without-the-cats
blood turned tumbleweed
refuses monthly blood tests
I apologise for my body
arms like pin-prick cushions
bruise at the doctor’s apologies
I fall apart into latex-covered hands
thread me back together
with it’s-probably-just-hormones
send me on my way
with feet facing backwards
my footsteps defy me end
in the same place I started
my body has forgotten how to love
turned cobwebs-where-my-lungs-once-were
turned I’ve-forgotten-my-name
I think it’s I’m sorry
Bethan Manley is 24 and studied MA Critical and Creative Writing achieving a Distinction at the University of Gloucestershire. Her poetry has appeared in ‘Postcards from Malthusia,’ ‘Ink, Sweat & Tears’ and ‘Snakeskin.’ Her first poetry pamphlet Goodnight Cariad was published by Wildfire Words in September 2022.