The Phare
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Winter's Business
Poet: Bethan Manley
I woke alone
pleaded with the seasons
to slow down
winter came anyway
left its business card
on the pillow next to me
I taste the cold
before it knocks
on my door
spend December knotted
in its arms chilled
I run away from sunsets
not ready to start again
hide in the corners
of my town
under comfort of darkness
countdown to spring
my heartbeats
get slower
as it gets colder
the new season arrives dressed
in green I grow
with the grass dewy
eyed and waiting for someone
to pick me
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.