Daughterbody I: a self-exorcism through poetry

"Powerful, relevant and a stark and intimate examination of how grief leaves its mark on the body." (John Byrne Award, Judging Panel, November Shortlist 2023)

Laura Gentile's poetry and drawings have been shortlisted for the John Byrne Award 2023 and have been exhibited at Summerhall in Edinburgh.

When I let him take me

And mustered up the courage

To look him in the eyes

All I could see

Were two dead black button pupils

And I was terrified

And I sank back into myself.