Anchorite – a poem by Clare Starling

Anchorite

To be dead is to be safe. I am excused the touch
of hands.  I am contained.  I cannot be removed 
from here.				                  I am free 
to concentrate on pain. I am companion to God.
Sounds enter through this window. I am a mind 
quiet within these walls. I am contained by God
and contain God. I do not find myself sufficient. 
I am safe from the touch of hands. Water enters 
through this window. I am a companion to pain.
I will be buried in this floor. Cold enters through 
this window. I am excused the trouble of voices. 
I am insufficient to God. I am dead and thus am
safe from death. I am companion to this silence. 
I am contained by solitude. My hands will touch
in prayer. I am companion to visions. Day enters 
through this window. I am excused the limitless
horizon without. There is enough of God in here.

Clare Starling started writing poetry when her son was diagnosed with autism during lockdown. Her poems have since been published in many journals including Sentinel Literary Quarterly, Poetrygram, Porridge, Obsessed With Pipework, and The Interpreter’s House. Her pamphlet Magpie’s Nest won the Frosted Fire First Pamphlet Award 2023. She particularly loves writing about our connection with nature, and about how neurodiversity can give different perspectives on the world.