A collection of poetry by Evie Greville

Raspberry Jam

Blackberries stain my lips,

I’ll rub them ragged with a cloth till they’re clean.

I spit blood in the wishing well,

He feeds me strawberries,

I kiss him – softly.

When I speak it is a non-reply.

Look I’m angry,

Look if you’re not angry.

I stand up on the table at the party,

A man has just groped my friend.

I pointed my finger at his chest,

Stabbed at him.

A blunt knife twisting.

I climb up on the table,

I will not be subdued.

Thorn scratches will trail down this man’s back

You tell a man you love him – he will rip your silk dress.

When did choking become seduction?

When was gagging not a cry for help?

A non-reply is all you’ll find when you peel back the wings of

that crumpled moth.

I yell “That man fucking assaulted my friend.”

I see myself in five years.

When you are feminine for you

You are feminine for them.

Moss grows up my legs

I stifle my sobs,

Collapse to the bathroom floor.

I fill a basket of hand picked berries alone,

I do not cry in the field.

Artwork by Isobel Hoyes

Femininity

Use shards of glass broken by the men down the road smashing

bottles,

Not to cut,

But to create a mosaic.

Kiss the lips of your friends.

Tell them you love them.

Spend time with the trees,

Tell the boy to go fuck himself,

Wear bold lipstick,

Paint your nails every colour.

Throw your mother a surprise party.

Resolve to be gentle,

Sing off key,

String together seashells and wear them around your neck.

Be angry about feminism,

Stop wasting time.

When you get your heart broken 

Cry.

Visit the library,

Smile,

Resolve to show up –

Bare your teeth.