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last night I barely slept
both children needed me
I was faceless as a pillow
empty as a groan
this morning I lifted my vague body and made soup
threw red and orange into November:
cumin, paprika, parsnip, carrot
then hung cold laundry in white wind
watched squirrels pluck berries from a grey tree
the baby pulled milk from me
as the pan steamed
thyme falling off the stalks
roasting garlic, ginger
coriander torn up, stock
it all poured into me
until I was chili heat
sweet, salt and spice
I stirred like a spoon
and the afternoon settled
into yellow leaves
full again
LILLY ALLISON is Head of English at a school for children with dyslexia. She has a Masters in Education but she has also studied English, Ancient Greek and practical philosophy. Her poem ‘Blossom and Bees’ was published in Motherhood Uncensored in 2025.
