Laura Wigley
Photography by Rui Silvestre, via Unsplash
Poet Laura Wigley reflects on how the end of a relationship is also a new beginning; what looks like failure according to social constructs can actually feel like success, especially if a change means we’re happier in ourselves.
I wrapped myself in ropes I chose
Safe, snug, secure.
Anchoring myself to purity
Protecting myself from the stench of sin
I locked down my desire
Swallowed the key
And lived happily there
For a while
But that key sat heavy in my stomach
Gnawing at me from the inside out
As the ropes tightened around my chest
Pressing stale air out of my lungs
And tighter still
They multiply and grow
Or maybe it’s me
Growing in love and safety
Growing into me
Until the safe snug ropes
Dig into my flesh
Marking my skin
Binding my body
I light a match,
Feel the ropes burn my skin
Scorching hot air catches in my throat
My sanctuary, up in flames.
And I burn anew
Twisting, unfolding, breaking and growing
The ashes of my carefully constructed life
Scattered at my feet
Laura Wigley
Laura Wigley is a PhD student from Edinburgh working on how to explore, understand and share what it is to live with chronic illness. Currently walking through a painful but beautiful journey of self discovery which keeps coming out as poetry. As well as writing about living in a broken body, Laura explores topics such as sexuality, autonomy, feminism and trauma.
