Holly Willis — Highly commended, Year 12 Heaters

Heaters

Catch my socks on the edges of the grates The ground heaters set into wooden floorboards An efficiency measure comparable to ground trampolines Built in wardrobes And bathroom cabinets The spine roles notch by notch over the bars As I settle my head into the non-existent groove The body too long for the rack I choose which end of it to leave hanging over the edge Arms waiting patiently Alternating rotations

I tuck my hands into the sleeves Moving heater to heater Leaping from radiator to portable Attaching myself to pocket warmers Sitting on the shoulders of strangers And shoving blue fingers into their armpits

I am cursed forever to hide underneath warm coloured beanies Before falling asleep in the shower You have to tell me not to leave the electric blanket on all night But I will still make the drinks too hot on purpose

I pick at the holes in my socks Before craning my neck towards the TV No matter how much you turn up the thermostat I scald my lips on the bars Whenever I climb into the oven

— Holly Willis, Wellington Girls’ College