by Emily Tucker

I will smile so sweetly,
at the old woman squeezing tomatoes,
In Sainsbury’s.
I won’t want to heave,
at how many
She’s touching. 

I am going to get SO drunk,
trip through crowds of strangers
In a Friday night pub.
I might even ask someone 
for a sip,
or two,
of their pint. 

I’ll make habit again,
of running for the tube,
making people sigh,
when I push through the doors,
at the 
very 
last 
second. 

I am going to read menus like novels
order plates 
upon plates
upon plates 
of food that’s been chopped up 
by others.
Then more.

I’ll be a pest at Zedel
And eat all the bread
From the baskets kept where 
waiters breathe. 

I will sit by my granny
nod along to her talk 
and steal sausage rolls
from the plate let half-eaten
by my oily thumbed brother.

With every new mouthful,
I will shout in my head,
I love you.
I missed you. 
I’m sorry.


Emily Tucker | @happyemily93
Emily is a primary school teacher based in North London. Lately she spends her days finishing off a book for children, watching Mad Men on repeat and longing for a trip out to Wagamama. 

Support Dear Damsels

Words are empowering – not only for the women who write them, but those who read them too.

Join our Patreon and help us continue to offer an inclusive and welcoming space for women to come together, share their words, and get a resounding response back.

Sign up to our Patreon