Winner of The Letter Review Prize for Poetry
End of the line
I'm not allowed to write about
Disconnection
'Cos I'm all grown up now and my life
is of my own making.
At my age I should have it all figured out.
But this is not
what I thought
life would feel like.
I'm not there yet
and 'there’ is moving
and I'm running.
Running out of time to catch up.
And they used to tell me I just needed to try harder
But now they tell me I'll never
match up.
And it's OK.
But they set the milestones ahead out of reach.
And perhaps it is OK.
But where is the finish line now?
Have I made it?
By day, I am a software engineering manager living in Sydney, Australia. By night, I write. Writing poetry has been a lifelong passion, though it took a backseat during much of my adult life. Recently, I have rediscovered my love for poetry as part of a personal journey of self-discovery. Diagnosed as autistic a year ago, in my late 30s, I write to explore my experiences as a late-diagnosed woman, reflecting on themes of observation, connection, and identity. My poetry seeks to convey a nuanced world of neurodivergent experience. Through my work, I hope to resonate with others who share similar experiences, fostering understanding and connection. I also hope poetry can serve as a bridge to communicate with those who may not share these experiences, offering a glimpse into a different way of seeing the world.