I arrived a professional an activist, political I was mothered. Recognised was my intelligence yet in question was my competence to know what was needed to name the support I needed met with an overriding taking over. As I recognised it futile to specify the support I’d like withdrawing, I declined to specify playing into the role I was expected to play. With the word ‘darling’ tone of voice matching I was set in place not to speak horizontally to you but diagonally

We walked your streets Between glittering city towers And glittering skirts We stood near the club Outside the old police station The music pumping Anxiety thumping Ashamed at my heart’s prideful repulsion I want to run away But the still small voice Says plant your feet And stay So we pray your Kingdom come In the shadow of the cactus In your city square A behemoth of greed Roars toward us mouth wide Feeding on our pride Never satisfied So we bow And pray Your kingdo