Whoops! So Much News... (and off to the House of Commons)

Well yesterday saw the culmination of the BIG GIRLS VILLAGE online series, with a fantastic showcase of some of the work two incredible groups of women created... Not only that but we made up another piece on the spot which you can read at the bottom of this post here. Im sure we'll be taking it along when we go together to present our poetry-case to the house of commons in June, but its nothing compared to the heartfelt and moving pieces many participants shared as documentation for the effect that lockdown and isolation has on women.

In other news, We're on the second in this series of Word/Play, poetry for mental health workshops in Somerset; and we've had some great fun already writing about pants, pets, and magical monsters. great to be collaborating on this with a strong team of four; Liv Torc, Jonny Fluffy Punk, Chris White and me.

Here's the poem created by suggestions from all the women in Big Girls Village, which i then put together in about 8 hurried minutes:

WE DEMAND

We demand that Misogyny

is made against the law

We demand much more

affordable childcare,

a fair wage, and actual worker's rights.

To be taken seriously,

to be heard,

to be consulted,

to feel safe.

End the poverty of older women...oh

and bras that don't chafe.

We demand Not to be belittled by male voices

women making decisions, safe spaces, child support,

mental health help that's face-to-face

stop fucking up nature - seriously,

it's very nearly too late

no more unpaid labour.

We demand transparency.

compulsory drug and alcohol tests for politicians,

Compulsory 'body swap' VR experiences

for boys and men to experience periods,

childbirth and menopause.

We demand that our physical appearance

to make no difference in the way we are treated.

To be free to dress and cover

or uncover our bodies and hair as we please.

For women's ailments to be believed.

Oh and fair tax, an end to weapons of mass destruction

a total smashing of the patriarchy!

Recognition for the unpaid work of women.

Abundance. Time.

For the Arts not to be sidelined.

That retired golfers give up three hours a month

to lead giant tortoises around on leads

with toddlers on their backs…

to cut the mothers 20 minutes of slack.

Women preists, lots of them.

Big Girls villages - all over the land.

And the right to not be expected

to have a full inventory of every cupboard

and item of food in the house in my head

and recall where lost socks/wallets/phones are, on demand,

even if I'm in the middle of something

(and to be completely immune of any requests

when (i'm on the loo!).

We demand rights not privilages,

priority orgasms, housing security.

The right to run safely with headphones on.

We demand the deserved respect for the mothers

WE demand to be the Assumption.

Not the Other.