Harriet Jae

Harriet Jae

Harriet Jae has worked with refugees and as editor of a refugee agency's flagship publication. She has been published in The Rialto, Mslexia, The Ofi Press, Ink Sweat & Tears and Words for the Wild.

Notice to Quit
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 14:31

Notice to Quit

Published in Poetry

Notice to Quit

by Harriet Jae

In ten days’ time, that’s it – she’ll be homeless.
Nowhere to go yet her mind whirrs with Why?
Questions circle like crows when she’s hopeless.

The jackals in power stalk the sick and the harmless.
She cowers below a black fluttering sky.
In ten days’ time she’ll find herself homeless.

Should she leverage her body, turn shameless?
She sees no escape now whatever she tries.
Questions circle like crows. It’s hopeless.

They cut off her cash but maintain they’re blameless.
Her mind batters air like an imprisoned fly.
In ten days’ time, that’s it – homeless.

How can she go where she’s unknown and nameless?
Has heaven gone deaf? Will the winds lift her cry?
Questions circle like crows till she’s hopeless.

The seconds are ticking away in the stillness.
She makes a cocoon in her duvet and sighs.
In ten days’ time she’ll find herself homeless.
Questions circle like crows till she’s hopeless.