Julie Stevens

Cambridge, UK

 

Julie Stevens lives in Cambridge, UK. She has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 30 years. She used to be a teacher and was a successful athlete. Her poems tend to reflect the impact MS has on her life, as well as other topics close to her heart. She writes for both adults and children. Her poems have been published in various magazines, online and in print. Her poem If I Can’t was a winning poem in Bespoke Verse’s poetry competition in association with National Poetry Day 2019. Her website is www.jumpingjulespoetry.com, including all the links to her social media platforms

 

Date Written: 30th March 2020

 

 

The Beast Outside

 

The anxiety of night delivers

an unfamiliar howl

crawling in through windows

circling the room

the miracle of morning never

arrives on time

I count my breaths

until I realize I’m alive

then thank the day for letting me in

 

I expect to see a fierce grey cloud

hanging in our street

people wrapped in tattered clothes

their faces covered in grime

The beast may be here

but it all looks the same

For now, I’ll shield myself inside

 

I’m sheltering fear

but I won’t hold your hand