Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

I Rid Myself

of cards and letters. Burned
them like the golden leaves in my backyard,
till they were grey, flat and charred. But
the smoke still billows in the air

like a pile of dung from a mare. I washed
the scent off my body like salt and
sand after a day at the beach. But the grit
is stuck between my teeth. I blocked

numbers and addresses. Threw out
all the summer dresses, the creamy lacy
halter tops, the sandals and flip-flops that I
wore. But his picture is in my bedroom drawer.

 

Sandra Wyllie has been writing poetry for the last twelve years. She has been inspired by two great poets, Anne Sexton and Charles Bukowski. She also enjoys nature, singing, and photography. Sandra Wyllie has been published several times in Ibbetson Street and Oddball Magazine. She has self-published many of her own on Amazon under Sandra L. Wyllie. She has her own YouTube channel under the name Sandra Lee Wyllie. where she talks about mental health.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.