"Stealing Hope" by Lisa Mary Armstrong

When your father told you

That your mother’s breasts were

Deadly nightshade

You drew a line between

You and God

Pale eyes

Pierced the flesh of heaven’s veil

And you fell from everyone’s grace

They say grief is heavy

That it steals hope

And children can be cruel

Like the boy whose arm

You slammed in a door

When he spoke ill of your Mamá

You prayed that the angels

Felt the weight of

Your grief that day

Lisa Mary Armstrong is a mother and Scottish poet who loves tea and all things Greek and mythological. She is also a researcher and tutor in law with a particular interest in women and children's experiences of the criminal justice system and penal reform. You can find out more about her work and poetry @earlgrey79_lisa