Advice

from the writer, Michele Roberts after a reading in Beverley, 18/10/03

Cherish the leaden memories;

The hard, heavy regrets

That you say lay like

A seam across your soul.

Do not hack away

With cruel, vengeful force.

Rather, be kind

And take care of them.

For they have been there

For a reason

And have protected you

For a long, long time.