I haven’t yet decided whether to write a poem a day for National Poetry Writing Month, but I thought I’d at least challenge myself to complete a quick piece on the first day. I’m a massive perfectionist and usually don’t share work online unless I’ve spent a decent while mulling over it, so maybe it’s good to step out of my comfort zone and post something which feels very rough.

---

Stuffed Animals

If he were alive,

the giant tortoise would be dead.

I used to hug him so tight

his body would bulge at the sides,

and I think I sat on him once.

The birds definitely wouldn’t have made it.

I squeezed their soft bellies

to make them sing.

Only the snake could have survived.

All I ever did was wear him round my neck

like an extravagant scarf.