Fighting Pirates

Fighting Pirates 

On days when I wake up in tears, 

engulfing my low tide, the rock pools

of a right old life. I have one last trick.

They won’t come and take me away.

Those pirates who have been circling ships

since the hour I was born. Not today. Not ever.

Because when my confidence and tenacity 

vanishes, pillaged by this strangest illness once

unknown to myself and others. I can do this…