Rosalie Alston

Bristol, UK

I have had several poems published anonymously about adoption in anthologies and ‘Australian Child Migrant’ published in Voices Along the Road, an anthology in aid of child refugees. A few of my poems have been published online via the WEA and one as part of a Learning Cities project in Bristol.

Date poem written: 22nd April 2020

Living with the New Normal in Bristol

Thanks for giving me permission

to wander alone in the city with others.

I’m in a gang with an invisible enemy

all I ever wanted.

Early mornings, I like to take a book

to the fluted wooden bench

where I stare down Brandon Hill

at ship masts, trees and tower blocks.

In the sun, my skin is getting darker

questions of Mischling re-surface

(my father had to go and look at photos

to check if I’d pass).

Look who’s placed a face mask

on Banksy’s Girl on Spike Island.

Let’s string everyone along

that this is any different.