Rebecca

Rebecca is lying in bed
Rebecca is being laid on by a cartoonishly small dog
Rebecca dreamed about this dog when she was three,
four, five and once when she was seven
Rebecca is trying to make this about the dog

Rebecca, Beka, Becks, Bean and once ‘’Beckham’’
that one didn't really stick, although it was hit into her
by a ten-year-old, full force in the face 
with a baseball bat, at a birthday party
Rebecca does not reply to ‘’Beckham’’
Rebecca does not want to focus on it anymore
Rebecca thinks back to the dog

Rebecca remembers walking the dog around a corner
and a stranger bending down to ask ‘’oh who is this?’’
Rebecca remembers the stranger looking up at her
Rebecca remembers thinking ‘’I need to wear my glasses’’
Rebecca remembers recognising the stranger 
as one would recognise ice heat in your hand 
as it seals itself burnt onto the range

Rebecca remembers
Rebecca does not want to

Rebecca finally, finally, finally 
remembers current boo 
was also there 
walking said dog 
as dog licks the hand of last year’s lover

What a meet cute
for two people who 
will eventually realise
Rebecca wasn’t worth it

Rebecca is in bed with the dog
that cannot leave
that must love her
that is totally content with
Rebecca

beam is a 26-year-old woman from Ireland, a new poet and a recent MA graduate in vocal performance. At the moment beam is working on her first collection after being published on Spilling Hot Cocoa Over Martin Amis. Recent work includes surviving the pandemic and several disappointing sourdough loaves. You can find more of her poetry @personalbeam on Instagram.

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