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Dunedin Secondary School Poetry Competition

Ruby Glade

Draw the curtains, pull the drapes, drape the pillows, hide the hate
Bring the sweet and taste the bile, concussion baby for a while
Yellow reflux porcelain stain, another day gone down the drain
Peace did throttle the ballet child, to lose control was not her style
A panicked foxtrot, a tripping waltz, her swollen stomach a rotten pulp
The day by day internal fight, and yet to others she seemed all right
It’s an abusive lover but it’s her best friend, a young glass dancer knocked down again
Blackout bathrooms and midnight drives, her body shut down at twenty five
Her back bent in and her lungs gave out, a quiet disease, a muffled shout

2:01 am       it’ll be all right

2:02           you’re smart and bright

5:06     come rescue me

5:07           I can’t I’m home

5:09     just leave me be

5:10          are you okay?

5:11          This is not a game!

She wasted away in front of us
And never had a fighting chance
Ruby Glade aged twenty five
Died in her home at quarter to nine.


Commended

Ella Bendall
Year 13, Logan Park High School

Generously sponsored by

University of Otago

University of Otago: Dept of English & Linquistics

Otago University Press

Otago University Press

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