I pop open the blister pack and poke the pill through,
dip it in sugar to mimic an advent calendar.
The doors are endless, a childhood dream.

I can’t get used to the lightness of despair.
I’ve mastered depression- damp, bell-heavy,
but despair?
It’s almost ethereal. Fairy lights in the breeze,
a brief twinkle
the wink of a tealight before it concludes.

The children hand me treasures they’ve found in the mud
Forest School, or playing outside as it used to be called,
before everything needed branding.
I smile, another leaf for my hair
more stones for my pocket. Anchors in open water.  
‘Are you okay, Miss?’

I sink into mauve bubbles, not trying to drown
only grounding my weight again.
Lilac shimmers the water and I trickle it over me,
smearing life across sallow skin.
My Rudolph earrings hang florid
tinsel etches my scalp. It’s the Nativity today
and my beaming face will echo that of the angels.
Happy.

Your aura consumes,
solar bright
red as birth.
I could give you the sky and still
you’d shrug off the clouds.
Your words puncture me,
pins through wet paper
salted scars needing ice cream.
Broken crystals, faded rocks splinter to
rubble in my pockets for open water
dragging me closer to you.

On the day I came to,
you stabbed me with ice
and shamed me for bleeding,
staining your bathtub black.
I grew back my colours in time,
doused myself in dandelions
whenever I felt you near and
gathered my shells
as you turned to shingle.
You planted flowers
and hoped I’d catch their scent in the breeze.
Forget me nots.






Jade Wright

On the day my Dad
Smashed in every window  
of Nan and Grandads house,
They told me the blood spots were
from the strawberry plants.

As Nan tiptoed by the pools of glass
Auntie Janet took me across the road.
We had orange club biscuits and milky tea, and Jasper the cat and Tots TV.
I pictured my Dad with his arm hanging off and sunk deeper into the armchair.

It was all smiles the next time he came,
The park with the maze and the video shop, and a banana milkshake and chomp bars before dinner.
He caught me staring at the purple scars and took my hand in his, swift as a vice.
There was a terrible accident at the factory.


Jade Wright

We could learn a lot from dogs.  
Not the kind of things that make up a curriculum-
nothing that could be graded, or pass an exam, but useful things.
How to be happy for no reason, how to love without diffidence.
How to grab life and squeeze out all the best bits,
of whatever scrap you’ve been flung.



Jade Wright

Dedicated to Sophie Smith

I wonder if
you played here as a child?
Did you
hunt for treasure shells
write your name in shingle
snake seaweed around sand kingdoms.
Did you ever throw stones into the ocean
and watch the ripples as they spread?

Maybe
you’d tested yourself before.
Feet sunk into the shoreline,
sea foaming at your ankles
as you made your final choice.
Panic or calm,
fear or resolve.
Nothingness.

I bet  
the water had never
seemed so dark.
I hope you numbed quickly
limbs silent
nerves dull
lips salt-fresh and longing
for the end.


Jade Wright

Nursery Haikus  

A selection of poems inspired by children I worked with throughout my time as a Nursery Practitioner.



Circle Time

If I had one wish
I would become the person
that you see me as


Theo

Happiest outside
Stomping stars, building, making
creating your world.


Norah

Come back and see me
In your bright new uniform
and tell your stories

Pre-School Huxley  

I remember when
Our mornings always began
With tears, then stories.


Baby Huxley

Tutu in my lap,                                                                                                                                                                sequins in your pockets shine                                                                                                                                         but we shine brighter

Eadie

You take my hand like
I belong to you, and for
The next term I do.




Rudi  

Your contagious smile
Made my darkest days brighter;
light reflected back.

Lily

I watch you make art
and remember how it feels
to see true beauty.


Maya


Strong as your namesake
excited by the world and
the people in it.


Esme


The world is waiting
for you to come and change it
like you changed mine.


Pearl  

The moon and stars are
waiting for you to take aim
and echo through you.


Cataleya

If only you knew
The power of your laughter
My little treasure.






Career goals

Glorified Nanny?
Early Years Practitioner?
They love me the same.  





Jade Wright