Michelle A Weaver

Leeds, UK

 

Michelle Anne Weaver (BA Hons), is a Key stage 2 primary school teacher in a diverse school in Leeds. She has a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Childhood studies from Leeds Beckett University. After gaining her degree she worked with refugee children in a secondary school, in an area of extreme social deprivation. Several years later, after IVF, Michelle and her husband welcomed twins into their world. Later she trained to be a teacher, enjoying the challenge of teaching those deemed unteachable.  Born into poverty on a  notorious council estate, Michelle showed resilience as she persevered, attending college, then finally university.  She has overcome many obstacles, recently, Cancer treatment. One of her 11-year-old daughters, is awaiting heart surgery, after recently discovering that she has a congenital heart defect.  During Cancer treatment and self-isolation, Michelle began to write again, remembering the joy and sense of escape she once felt.

Written on 19.04.2020

 

 

Still dancing

‘Wake up!’ her voice demanded, stranded

Desperation etched into its emotional overtones

in varied modulation, tired to the bone

‘Here I am,' I whispered, my voice muted

I wanted my cry to echo off the sterile white wall,

to race down the wallpaper waterfall.

 

Can you hear me?'

My mind awake while my body faltered.

She held my hand; my world utterly altered

The hushed whispers of the nurses

doctors, benefactors. Proffering hope

My lungs recovering from the invasive

bronchoscope.

 

Shuttered behind my shatterproof screen

This disease skulking, never foreseen

'You can’t leave us mum,' they compelled,

tears dispelled.

I am deathless, durable, indestructible,

a fighter, ferocious, infallible.

 

I’ll fight to remain where I belong

A battle, a struggle

a gold in this uphill marathon

My daughters routine inextricably bound,

waves of emotion; a merry-go-round

My mind still frantically fire fighting

The anguished pain irrevocably blighting.

 

The morphine melted,

misty memories melded

‘I want to go home,’ I implore

To blissfully waltz once more,

taking back the dance floor

Eyes of adoration streamed

‘We’re here to take you home,’ they agreed.