This is the first in a series of “From the Archives” posts, where we share some of the fantastic writing we have published since our inaugural issue in 2020.
Today’s “From the Archives” features a wonderful poem from issue 1 by Emma Muldoon Ryan.
Toxic Relationship
Emma Muldoon Ryan
We need to talk.
I feel… at this point in time our lives are somewhat
Adjacent.
You’re always there for me, you’ve always been my home, my rock.
But to live, I have no choice but to stand on your toes.
I’m sorry.
You’re ablaze but it’s not my fault
It was him, he did it.
See, I’m only continuing on from my predecessors.
They’ve engraved their mantra into my veins and I know nothing else.
I’m sorry.
You’re suffering but it’s not all me
I’ve tried to persuade them,
I have, I promise,
You give me comfort and security
But all I do is give you a headache.
I’m so busy caught up in moving faster and faster all the time
But I just end up eroding parts of you.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I can’t take better care of you
But it’s not just me you’re dealing with
It’s an army. It’s humanity.
We’re sorry.
We’re sorry for setting your forests on fire.
We’re sorry we’ve dealt damage to your defence.
We’re sorry every inch of you reeks of corrupt civilisation
Can’t you see this relationship, you and I,
The one we’ve had my whole life, our whole life,
It’s Toxic!
We’ve dominated you, knocked you down and
Built you back to our standards.
We’ve manipulated you to work for us and only us.
Is this what you’ve been trying to tell me?
All along, these hurricanes, these typhoons, these… signs.
You knew, didn’t you?
You knew we’d try to fix canyons with plasters.
You knew this was a toxic relationship, and you allowed it.
You knew this was never going to work
And you allowed it.
Buy your copy of issue 1 here.
