There Are No Bears In Ormskirk
By Oskar Leonard

 

There are no bears in Ormskirk
is a farewell as beloved as
I love you, as secure as
stay safe, don’t die, and
as heartfelt as
smell you later, bitches!

 

Each rings through the hall,
taking turns like dish-washing
and living-room-hoovering.

 

Our neighbours must think
we are mad; but, there again,
they are roused by Eye of the Tiger
at eight in the morning on weekdays.

 

Between us, the insanity is melodic.

 

Oskar Leonard from UK is a trans author and poet. He has written fourteen books: six novels, five poetry collections, two novellas and a short story collection. His short works have been featured in publications such as The Meadowlark Review, The Bibliopunk Lit Zine and Juven. He is studying a BA in English Literature with Creative Writing at Edge Hill University.