In this post we’re so chuffed to share with you original poetry from Izzie Heis. If you have attended one of our recent Zoom calls, you’ll no doubt have been introduced to Izzie’s enigmatic personality (and adorable puppy, Scout). Not only is Izzie’s poetry full of nuance and perception – often exploring classics, feminism and queer identity – but the layout of her Instagram archive is a real treat, offering a colour scheme and font so reminiscent of Faber & Faber.
We found these two poems a much needed source of comfort, at a time when the world feels a bit overwhelming. Eden particularly loved ‘The Flight’, which she saw as a beautiful affirmation of falling in love, even when it’s over. Emily found ‘Memoir of a Shadow’ to be an uplifting account of self-love and independence. We hope you enjoy reading these two poems as much as we did. Thank you again Izzie for sharing your words and worlds with us.
The Flight
I thought loving you
Would tear my lungs
And deregulate
My breathing.
Instead, you’re sleeping
Next to me
Our soft sighs sinking
And repeating.
And I opened up
My fragile heart
And lay, breath bated,
For you to rip it.
But you placed your head
Upon my chest
And you heard me
Softly beating.
Love was not a fall with you.
Falls always end in hurting.
Instead, in love, I took your hand
And we spread our wings
And flew.
Memoir of a Shadow
A lifetime of journeys
I walk with her
Our feet step in perfect time.
I followed her
From her youngest day
Playing games where
I danced with her
Lengthened out
On the playground floor.
She weaved me into familiar shapes
Upon her childhood bedroom walls
Swans and wolves
I became for her
Whilst she waited
For visiting sleep.
I join her now in a streetlight’s glow.
It’s late and she stumbles, drunk,
But I’ll make sure that she gets home.
I walk with her
To her friend’s house
To meetings
To parties
To funerals
Into love
And out of heartbreak.
I will walk with her on her wedding day
Staying with her long after
She’s been given away.
Right up until
Hunched over, old-aged,
Her world is a solitary chair.
I have followed her footsteps
Through gravel and grass
Pavement and sand
I would follow her to the moon.
Our footfalls would crunch its surface together;
We embark our next adventure.
Be sure to follow Izzie’s poetry account, and check her out on IG and Twitter! Until next time.
MEDUSA 